Boys’ Development

Boys’ gender treatment – a major issue

Theories:

1)male separation trauma from mom and poor male figure identification and modeling (Chodrow,N)

Boys’ Development

2) boys dominate classroom ,leading to lag in girls’ development

( an issue of female self esteem in 1990s) ( Gilligan,C)

3)raised with problematic ideals and alienation

(Pollock,W)

4) Innate goodness of boys despite harm from feminism

( Hoff Sommers,C)

1981 “MYTH OF MASCULINITY” by Dr. Pleck

Absent childhood models Maternal separation Need for autonomy Inherent isolation Dysfunctional rearing Constraining, inconsistent upbringing

Maternal Separation Studies

These are class based theories!!

May not apply to all SES levels, ethnicities

How have boys progressed?Remember girls have benefited from major social advances

Girls’ changes boys’ changes

Feminism Self esteem

initiatives Legislation Focus on male

predatory behavior Title 9 Male backlash

Under achievement in school

Increased drop outs More suicides Family dysfunction Emotional disorders Decreased funding

Under achievement in school

Increased drop outs More suicides Family dysfunction Emotional disorders Decreased funding

Pollock ( Real Boys) at Harvard:gender disadvantages Early disconnect at 5-6 years old 2nd disconnect at adolescent stage Boy code with gender stereotypes Sublimated feelings:isolation,

alienation,silence, loneliness

Problems

Depression Suicides Under achieved academics Poor reading Poor writing 67% of special ed. Classes = boys 10X more emotional disorders

So, one group of researchers has made boys sound alienated, prone to depression………….and a bunch of loose cannons! Boys actually do need: energy and

competition and daring In colleges only 45% students boys In AP courses, less boys Among African-Americans, sex disparity

is even worse with college BAs 63% WOMEN

Solutions?

Promote male heroes Male only classes Adventure literature Activity emphasis Less emphasis on demonization of

males

Nice guys = acting badly

Male influential advantages

Dads help to develop controlled behavior

Positive attitudes towards women, by male example

Organizational abilities Aggression well directed Interpersonal cooperative ability

Studies poorly done

Some studies use no control group

Boys not from every social stratum

Biased samples Poorly defined terms Discrepancies

between studies

Male and boy symptoms may vary from girls’ symptoms

Emotive quality not as easily assessed

Common ideas

Male mentors enliven and stimulate

To regard boys as “toxic” subjects child to negative stereotyping

Some essence of maleness may be positive

Competition, aggression,winning,group dynamics, side to side communication

Love thru action is OK

Over dependence on the “mask” of inexpressiveness can harm

Boy code exists: oak strong, give ‘em hell,big wheel, no sissy stuff

Common areas

Boys and girls benefit from a less gendered society

Anger control---helped by male mentor or dad

Respect development--- male mentor or dad

Generativity--- male mentor or dad

Play development---male mentor or dad