The Good Son: A Complete Parenting Plan (Paperback)

~ (Author)

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

Gurian (A Fine Young Man), one of today's premier writers on the subject of male development, moves beyond the realm of sociological and psychological analysis (offered in Eli Newberger's fine The Men They Will Become, see p. 71) to provide a timely and practical parenting guide. Focusing specifically on the subject of moral developmentAa matter of hot debate in the wake of such tragedies as the Columbine High School shootingAGurian writes from his own experience as a family therapist. Citing an "increase in ethical numbness, moral distraction, and spiritual emptiness among boys and young men," he examines the roots of potential problemsAsuch as the abandonment of our children's moral development to "potentially toxic" visual mediaAand then lays out a well-organized blueprint for ushering boys into adulthood. Gurian discusses such topics as biological and neurological development as well as building spiritual life and dealing with media influence (for example, he notes that a boy of nine or 10 should not "see images he cannot or should not experience with his own body and soul at this time in his life"). Gurian concludes with a list of age-appropriate books and movies that "stimulate moral growth in boys." Parents and caregivers will welcome the direction and reassurance of this outstanding book in their efforts to guide boys "toward loving, wise, and responsible manhoodAthe compassionate life."
Copyright 1999 Reed Business Information, Inc.

From Library Journal

Here are two solid books with practical advice on how to raise well-adjusted, ethical young boys. The Good Son is the culminating third volume of Gurian's best-selling series (The Wonder of Boys, A Fine Young Man) about raising young males to become responsible men. Like many recent scholars, such as Gad Cudner (Small Criminal Among Us), Gurian offers ethical explanations of youth violence: his "good son parenting plan" revolves around morality and discipline. Astutely synthesizing Jean Piaget's cognitive and Lawrence Kohlberg's moral stages of development, he gives detailed guidelines for instilling "good virtues" during each of three stages of moral development: obedience (birth to six), convention (seven to 12), and moral intuition (13 to 18). On the other handAand in contrast to Donald Black (Bad Boys, Mad Men: Confronting Antisocial Personality Disorder, LJ 3/1/99), who emphasizes genetic attributionANewberger (pediatrics, Harvard Medical Sch.) thinks that the best explanation for boys' misbehavior is the interplay of biological drives and "character" development. He claims that boys are born with malleable "innate temperaments" that can be transformed into positive "male characteristics" such as self-control, courage, honesty, and sportsmanship. In short, boys can become leaders without resorting to violence. Both Gurian and Newberger use anecdotes to show that raising good sons need not be difficult, and their books are timely, insightful additions to the current debate on youth violence and school shootings. Recommended for public and academic libraries.AChogollah Maroufi, California State Univ., Los Angeles
Copyright 1999 Reed Business Information, Inc.

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Product Details

• Paperback: 400 pages
• Publisher: Tarcher (September 1, 1999)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0874779855
• ISBN-13: 978-0874779851
• Product Dimensions: 9.1 x 6.2 x 1.3 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.5 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (15 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #825,765 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

39 of 40 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Raising your son to excellence, October 25, 1999

By A Customer

A refreshing concept in today's wasteland of corruption. Gurian tells how to raise boys with character, morals and old-fashioned values. Values much forgotten in the current quest for achievement and financial success. I like Gurian's book because it guides parents through trouble spots of child-rearing: early toddler years and on through young adulthood. A book one will refer to many times as the child develops. Another helpful approach to positive parenting is found in Father, Son, Three-Mile Run. Check it out. A great inspirational guide for parents. Both books recommended.

44 of 47 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Parents, Please Read!, January 2, 2000

By	Gary Plep, LCSW, The Northern California Men'... (San Jose, California) - See all my reviews

I can't say enough about Michael's work. All parents with boys need this information. All institutions need to to consider the model he offers. Mr. Gurian is a fabulous author as well as researcher. I worked in juvenile probation for 12 years and have been in private practice for 18 years. I now run four men's groups a week. Mr. Gurian certainly affirms all I have experienced and believe.

37 of 39 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Good Information for a Good Parent, December 5, 1999

By A Customer

Michael Gurian has succeeded in providing the public with a book that captures the true essence of what it means to be a male in today's world. In The Good Son, he takes his readers on a journey from the moment of birth to adulthood. The present broadening state of violence in our schools and the increasing amount of youth committed crimes within our society, in general, begs the question--why? Gurian's latest book dares to answer this pervasive question that seemingly remains unresolved with each new shocking headline. The Good Son, skillfully answers a host of how's and why's. For example, how we as mentors, parents, relatives and teachers can help boys express their emotions in healthy ways. Gurian talks about the loss of moral literacy among boys and how we can help them develop moral codes. Whether one is connected to a boy or not, one should read this important and practical work by Michael Gurian.