Customer Reviews

The War Against Boys: How Misguided Feminism Is Harming Our Young Men

5 star:		(85)
4 star:		(32)
3 star:		(5)
2 star:		(4)
1 star:		(15)

 

 

I am a 37-year-old professional female who was raised in an all-female modern feminist household. Thus, I have been taught the established feminist doctrines from a very early age. I consider myself intelligent, but I must admit I never questioned my beliefs, until I read this book by Ms. Hoff Sommers. I found a great deal of her arguments (dispelling how girls are targets of our sexist society) to simply make sense. I am grateful that my mind has been opened to look at women's issues in a fresh way, although I am uneasy in that I am more cynical of those for which I previously had naive trust. I admire the author's guts for challenging such entrenched concepts, because she is certain to face a lot of anger. I would recommend this book for those of you who are not afraid to confront and consider ideas contrary to traditional feminist assumptions.

I graduated from Indiana University in 1990 - just as the 'girls are fragile' movement was gaining momentum. I was taught the 'facts' that Sommers refers to in numerous in-services (for all of you non-teachers, in-services are attempts at teacher training in which a speaker comes and entertains or horrifies us with a speech that usually has little or no practical value - when I taught in the inner city it was usually the horrifying type: "these kids are all failing and blah-blah percent of them will end up dead or in jail and it's all because you didn't teach them how to multiply fractions or diagram a sentence correctly!").

Anyway, I did buy into some of the stuff about girls being fragile and being overrun in the classroom. I have heard the statistics Sommers skewers so completely and thoroughly and I swallowed many of them hook, line and sinker because it was early in my career and as a young person I foolishly believed that if a Harvard PhD researched the facts they must be right. As a more jaded professional, I appreciate Sommers' meticulously endnoted work.

She embarrasses the 'fragile girl' theorists by burying their under-researched (and sometimes un-researched) theories in a blizzard of relavent studies and facts from responsible and trusted sources (for example, I've had the '4 million women die from physical abuse from a man' stat thrown at me in a diversity seminar. Yes, verbally thrown at me - as if I were the man who personally beat them all to death! Well, if it happens again, I'm armed with the REAL facts from the Centers for Disease Control, thanks to Sommers).

Sommers overwhelmingly makes the point that our 'touchy-feely' self-esteem oriented schools are a great big turn-off to most of the boys. (in my experience as a high school teacher, the girls don't buy into it much either). Schools are not designed for most boys, especially as we take away physical activities and recesses. Male boisterousness is seen as wrong - a mental disorder and/or a sign of ADHD. Boys have to be medicated specifically for their built-in attributes that they possess as boys.

Special interest groups such as NOW and the ACLU will fight for the rights of women since they are oppressed, despite the fact that their grades are better, they are much less likely to be in special education classes (4-1 ratio of boys to girls), girls are more likely to go to college (55-60% of college students are female) and boys are much more likely to be punished in school than are girls.

As I read this book while enjoying the first few days of my Christmas Break from school I found myself resolved to take a look at how boys are treated in my class and in my school. I also found myself thinking of ways I can provide the specific needs of young men that Sommers' experts identify. I'll refer back to those recommendations often and make a few changes in my classroom and lobby for changes in the school.

***This is a must-read for any serious-minded and open-minded educational professional.

On a lighter note, why do publishers insist on using endnotes when footnotes are so much easier for the reader to access. Sommers' research was overwhelming - she should have proudly showcased it through the use of footnotes.

Christina Hoff Sommers has finally articulated what I have felt over the years as I have watched my three sons (I am their father) go through school and now college. The problem with feminism is not that it has fostered achievement for women. Rather it is feminism's attempts to demean the roles and achievements of men and "feminize" boys that are problematic. To the extent that feminism has encouraged girls and women to strive for excellence, it should be lauded. To the extent that it has used our institutions, particularly our schools, as a vehicle to establish a so-called "new feminist order" at the expense of our sons, it is shameful.

Hoff Sommers' research demonstrates that our schools , disproportionatly influenced by biased (and all too frequently suspect) feminist theory, are clearly engaged in institutional male bashing. From chastizing boys for engaging in naturally aggressive play, to attacking male oriented sports such as football(unless, of course a girl wants to participate), to denouncing fraternities(while saying nothing about sororities), to frequently ignoring the achievements of boys while sometimes artifically inflating those of girls and young women, to minimizing the role and importance of the male role model (ie fathers) it appears that feminist-influenced educators seem bent not on leveling the playing field, but tilting it towards Venus; and if our sons fall off in the process, well, that's unfortunate.

Perhaps this is best seen in the way test results are viewed. When young women achieve higher scores than men in, say, verbal skills (which by the way are much more susceptible to subjective interpretation than tests for math and science), feminists attribute this to women's perceived superior ability to communicate, and there is nary a mention of having to do more to eradicate the disparity. However, when young men achieve higher scores, say, in math, it is attributed to systemic discrimination that must be remedied, and not to any inherently positive male attribute. (This despite studies that many feminists like to ignore showing that men perhaps have innate skills in this area that are superior to those of most women) Similarly, not much alarm is expressed either in schools or by our "leaders" at large at the inordinately high male dropout rate or relatively low level of boys attending college as compared to girls. Indeed,at times one may believe that this is perhaps tolerated, since it is now "the girls's turn", though the boys who are being sacrificed had not a thing to do with past discrimination agains females. Query whether this would be the case if the shoe were on the other foot. Finally, one need only look at how quickly school officials will recommend that a little boy be placed on Ritalin simply because he doesn't pay attention like a little girl does, rather than force the teacher (all to frequently a woman)to deal with the behavior, to see the war against boys in its most graphic terms. Again, imagine the outcry if our institutions tried to medicate a little girl out of a naturally female tendency.

Of course, the answer is to encourage both boys and girls to realize their full potential, which Hoff Sommers advocates. More important, though, is Hoff Sommers' frequently stated belief, based on her research, that both genders be encouraged to achieve and develop on their own terms, rather than by transforming one into the other(I do find it interesting that if women engage in aggressive "male type" behavior feminists laud this, but not so for men. Imagine the praise Hillary would have received from women's groups if she had "invaded" Lazio's "space")

Hopefully the PC police that currently wield inordinate power in our educational and social institutions will not ignore excellent research such as that presented by Hoff Sommers, or the eventual ensuing backlash may well trim the legitimate and necessary gains that women have made in the recent past.

With the pendulum of society swinging toward feminist ideals, it is easy to lose sight of the balance that our nation should strive to attain. In her book "The War Against Boys", Christina Hoff Sommers attempts to focus on the truth of the issues rather than the media hype which portrays girls as under-privileged citizens. Feminism is backed by a large group of people certain that women are getting the short end of the stick. Any evidence to the contrary is considered a threat to women, and is often silenced before it can be revealed. Even the "experts" are not immune from their own biased opinions, and as a result, we readers are often presented with shoddy research that supports untenable conclusions. Christina Hoff Sommers pokes some interesting holes in the feminist story. Hopefully this book can help slow the swing of the pendulum before it rises too far the other way, resulting in a community which is intolerant of boys and of masculinity. Of course the author has her own bias, but the truth is somewhere between the two opinions. Before you succumb to the popular idea that women are victims of society, read this book. If you are the parent of a boy, then definitely read this book.

Whilst a review is, by nature, subjective, one has to say that if you have not awarded this outstanding treatise five stars, then you have probably either missed the point or possess insufficient intellectual faculty to conceive and rationalise the truth Hoff Sommers presents herein; which is essentially nothing short of a Doctoral thesis. In reality the laymen seldom reads academia and so that could detract somewhat from what is ultimately a compelling and above all a flawlessly researched academic text.

Although the text is, itself a little old, the central thesis and conjecture undoubtedly remain as relevant today as it was when it first hit the press nearly a decade ago, back in 2000. That thesis being that feminist (female supremacists, as they should be called) will stop at nothing to advance their perverse agenda. Be it distorting the facts, engaging in 'truthiness' or whatever means are employed to justify the end. This text gives an impartial blow-by-blow account of the methods, the movement and the main protagonists in what is ultimately a fascistic and wholly repugnant charade that masquerades as a genuine concern movement which has the concern of girls at its heart. What it fact has at its core is a manifesto of supremacy and domination, playing God with Darwinian evolution and the history of biological development.

Without revealing too much to the potential reader, all I should say is please read this text, check the research and the references for yourselves, do some further research and read a few more texts. Then with a clear head and a clear heart arrive at your own conclusion. A conclusion which any sane individual (who is devoid of an agenda) will reach, arriving at a place called disbelief.

I also recommend that any educator read this text, to see how you may be unwittingly contributing to the greater problem by your personal pedagogical philosophy and approach to classroom management. I personally found chapter eight 'The Moral Life of Boys' to be a real treat,

This book works for a number of reasons, amongst which I would include the following:
i) It is flawlessly researched
ii) Hoff Sommers is a REAL academic, a real intellectual who, despite also having an agenda, is clearly sane and rational in her conclusions and suggestions.
iii) Its structure, cohesion and central thesis are all articulate and concisely presented, the author is professional and largely impartial.
iv) It is relevant to anyone who has a child, especially a male child.
v) It will make the reader think and consider what they have just read and hopefully want to go out and validate those arguments.

To conclude, this is a superb book, an outstanding argument coherently and concisely put forth. Although it is real academia it is a quick read and does not alienate the non-academic reader.

My undergraduate degree is in sociology. I consider myself a feminist to the extent that even my profile identifies me as a feminist. However frequently when i read books on feminism sometimes i get upset with:
A) Sloppy Research...people writing on social science topics who do not know how to really conduct social science research
B) The extent in which modern feminism seems more about getting revenge on men instead of acheiving equality with men. (which is why i am sometimes just afraid to identify myself as a feminist in conversation)
Kudos to Sommers for really addressing these issues head on in The War Against Boys!!! I have passed this book on as a great example on how to do a throughout literature review in social sciences.
My criticism of the book??? The way she suggests "parenting" and raising boys...its as though she thought that she could invent a form of masculinity that would be responsive to all of this. However she does pin point things that need to be addressed within the context of the way feminism is currently protrayed. I think that it could be saved by respect for all people and better research the way she portrays it in the book!!!

In defense of boys Christina Hoff Sommers uses a hard hitting, show me the facts approach to expose many of the so called child experts, such as Carol Gilligan, as incompetent researchers who have their own biased agendas. Ms. Hoff Sommers also points out that unfortunately governments and educational institutions, in their attempt to be politically correct, accept and implement much of this unproven research. Hoff Sommers provides many examples of what one college psychologist refers to as "illusion data" and how young boys are often exposed to this destructive propaganda through the school system in their early years . She also includes research on teachers like Vivian Gussin Paley who have a realistic grasp on the differences between boys and girls and encourages them to be themselves. Hoff Summers offers biological evidence as to the differences between boys and girls and states that you simply can't deconstruct boys. Her inclusion of a quote by Gloria Steinem that, "We need to raise boys like we raise girls." is a good example of people ignoring these important biological differences. The underlying message I took from the book is that if you do not want your son forced to become feminized and punished for being a boy, then find out what is going on in your son's school and become involved. If you are part of the system then stand up for boys who are without representation. You just might have a Carol Gilligan, male or female, setting a school agenda that has nothing to do with respecting individual rights and promoting healthy boys. David Popenoe's Life Without Father is a good supplement to The War Against Boys by providing information on how we harm boys and the consequences that result. Christina Hoff Sommers lets the world know that male bashing at any stage is not acceptable but is especially repugnant when it is directed at young boys who are without defense. Thank you Ms. Hoff Sommers!

As a social worker that works with at-risk teens (98% of them are boys), I have found Sommers reporting to be accurate and concurs with issues I find each day I come into contact with a male teen. It is egregious to think that a well-respected feminist such as Carol Gilligan has used her status to write unfounded, unsubstantiated facts about the lives of boys and girls. According to Sommers, Gilligan has failed to use empirical data in her writing; has refused to publish her findings; and, continues to write more and more about what and who boys are and need without a shred of evidence from well documented studies. The facts revealed in this book will undoubtedly anger many people who have put their trust in Gilligan. More to the point, Sommers has revealed the reality that boys do need our attention. Many teachers, from my perspective, fail to recognize the power they have in their role as teachers and the influence they have on the lives of boys, in general. Sommers is correct to state we need to begin to have REAL equality in education (which has been sorely missing) and begin to teach and treat boys and girls as people who have individual and collective goals, who express and experience life sometimes the same, but often in different ways. We need to appreciate the special natures of both boys and girls, and allow them to develop in a way that is true to themselves. Some will refute Sommers for her lack of self-studies on the issue, but she has certainly given substantial food for thought from those who have done studies that support her thesis while failing to support the purported findings of Gilligan and others. It does seem a simple solution that Sommers would suggest that boys just need moral guidance and discipline to help them navigate their lives; it's nothing new, but it does speak to the fact that we've thrown out the baby with the bath water when it comes to certain things that have worked in the lives of boys. I was disappointed, however, to note that Sommers didn't come to realize that boys need to learn interpesonal and intrapersonal nurturing skills, as well. Sommers would do well to do an expose of the reality that the lack of good father role models in the lives of boys has had a greater degree of damaging impact on their son's (and daughter's)lives. Revolving substitute boy friends as fathers in the lives of so many boys hasn't been working; men (fathers) need to work on their interpersonal and intrapersonal nurturing, communication, and problem solving skills that they might "stay" in the lives of their children where the greater "fatherly love" can affect the lives of their sons (and daughters). Thank Christian Hoff Sommers for a great book, it speaks with a thunderous roar!

Christina Hoff Sommers not only has seen the obvious but has had the nerve to report it without diluting indirection. Consequently, she has written the sort of book that will not be understood, much less be acceptable, for at least another fifty years. These days, too many "authorities" devoted to the romantic, counterintuitive dogmas which flourish within the educational establishment either will ignore her or unite, as dunces, in confederacy against her. In actuality, she is like one of those prisoners released from Plato's Cave who have seen the truths outside and returned to their darkened former abode to set others free. As a disturber of complacency, she can hardly expect a friendlier welcome than such types normally receive. In actuality, though, she deserves the highest praise for being so gloriously free of our age's cant and selective indignation in educational matters.

I think this book hits the nail right on the head: American boys ARE being neglected in school in favor of girls. I'm an 18 year old male that just graduated High School, and I know for a fact that girls are given more opportunity to succeed in school than are boys: ie, special girls-only classes, special attention to women's issues in the classroom, etc. According to the feminists that post here, (hmm... mostly from the People's Republic of Vermont...) if you don't believe in women first, women always, women only, you aren't a feminist. I think that women in our society are mistreated far too many times, but that kind of radical feminism is no longer necessary. For years feminists railed about equality, and then turn the other way when the roles are reversed. How hypocritical. Fortunately Ms. Sommers realizes both sides to the situation. Excellent read, I highly recommend.