What's Happening to Our Boys?
AT RISK
How the new techologies, drugs and alcohol, peer pressure and
porn affect our boys
What kind of world are our boys to growing up in? Why are
growing numbers of boys suffering body image and self-esteem
problems? Why do they feel worthless without the latest branded
toy, game or item of clothing? What makes soft drinks, snacks
and fast foods so attractive? Why are they drawn to countless
acts of violence on TV, in movies and in computer games? What
impact does our highly sexualised climate, our emphasis on
success and money, have on them as they grow? And why are
so many boys vulnerable to cyber bullying and to porn?
Childhood and teenage life is changing rapidly, leaving parents exhausted and confused as to how best to tackle the many issues they face. How does this high pressure environment affect a boy's confidence, his values and aspirations, his wellbeing, his sense of community, his attitudes to girls and women?
In her follow-up book to What's
Happening to Our Girls? Maggie Hamilton asks these
and many other vital questions, as well as providing numerous
tips for parents and educators on how to create a more promising
future for our children.
Reading group notes
for What's Happening to Our Boys? are also available
online.
Links to podcasts on What's Happening to Our Boys?
ABC
Conversation Hour, ABC Radio
ABC
Life Matters, ABC Radio
Dads
on the Air
ABC
Adelaide - Drive with Sonia Feldhoff, ABC Radio
Advance praise for What's Happening to Our Boys
'In her new book, Maggie Hamilton has provided illuminating
insights into the techniques used to undermine developing
self-esteem and to sell products. In an immensely readable
way, she provides practical tips for parents on many of the
big issues facing adolescent boys- drugs, drinking, sexualisation,
bullying and more.' - Barbara Biggins OAM, Australian Council
on Children and the Media.
'As the father of two young adult sons, I didn't realise
how much the world had changed and the challenges that today's
boys and teenagers have to face. This book will open the eyes
of parents and other adults. In addition to the bad and the
ugly, it provides a lot of very good ideas on how to raise
well-adjusted and resilient boys and young men.' - Gary Bryant,
Executive Officer, Men's Advisory Network
'Maggie Hamilton's insightful analysis points out that although
boys are the stronger sex in a physical sense later on, many
boys are more vulnerable as newborns and struggle in early
society that is playing havoc with not only our children's
wellbeing but also our own. Her new book provides a formula
for parents to get back to basics with boys, doing the things
with them that build strong emotional bonds.' - Anne Crabb,
Executive Officer, NSW Parents Council
'Maggie Hamilton's new book, What's Happening to our Boys
is informative and readable. Perhaps most importantly, this
book takes a positive view of boys: it sets out to build on
what is good about being a boy and to strengthen that side.
It also looks at the pitfalls facing boys in today's world.
It gives insights to parents and concerned adults about how
they can walk alongside boys on their journeys.' - Professor
John J Macdonald, Foundation Chair in Primary Health Care,
Co-Director Men's Health Information and Resource Centre
'What's Happening to our Boys is a must-read book for all
parents with boys. Full of great ideas and practical solutions.'
- Warwick Marsh, Dads4Kids Fatherhood Foundation
Viking, Penguin A$29.95 June 2010
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