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The Mama's Boy Myth: Why Keeping Our Sons Close Makes Them Stronger
by
Kate Stone Lombardi (Goodreads Author)
A New York Times contributor offers a radical reexamination of a hot-button issue of the mother and son relationship and advocates the end of the "mama's boy" taboo.
New York Times contributor Kate Stone Lombardi unveils the surprisingly close relationship between mothers and sons. Mother after mother confessed to Lombardi that her husband, brothers, and even female frien...more
New York Times contributor Kate Stone Lombardi unveils the surprisingly close relationship between mothers and sons. Mother after mother confessed to Lombardi that her husband, brothers, and even female frien...more
Hardcover, 336 pages
Published
March 15th 2012
by Avery
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This is an important book on a topic about which we talk all too little. Although the title may suggest otherwise and while Lombardi focuses of the mother-son relationship, she makes clear that boys need strong relationships to their fathers as well. So, this book should be read in conjunction with books that consoider a boy's need for a strong paternal bond.
The author goes from her strong relationship to her own son to cite surveys showing that young men who have strong relationships with their...more
The author goes from her strong relationship to her own son to cite surveys showing that young men who have strong relationships with their...more
http://mariesbookgarden.blogspot.com/...
This is SUCH an important and desperately needed book.
New York Times contributor Kate Stone Lombardi makes the fascinating point that of all the possible parent-child relationships (e.g., father-son, father-daughter, mother-daughter), the most circumspect and maligned is that of the mother and son. This was an illuminating beginning to this book.
Close mother-son relationships are abundant, but they are kept in the closet. While fathers are lauded for teach...more
This is SUCH an important and desperately needed book.
New York Times contributor Kate Stone Lombardi makes the fascinating point that of all the possible parent-child relationships (e.g., father-son, father-daughter, mother-daughter), the most circumspect and maligned is that of the mother and son. This was an illuminating beginning to this book.
Close mother-son relationships are abundant, but they are kept in the closet. While fathers are lauded for teach...more
I highly recommend this book: thought-provoking; insightful; and highly readable. The old-model of encouraging boys to separate young, to toughen up emotionally, and to go it alone, is simply no longer working. One of my favorite insights is how in patriarchal societies individuals are viewed as strengthened by an association with things male and weakened by an association with things female. This is the best explanation I've read for the treatment of young men and boys who transgress from tradi...more
Mar 09, 2013
willaful
rated it
4 of 5 stars
Recommends it for:
parents, people interested in gender roles
Shelves:
nonfiction,
made-me-laugh
My husband took the cutest picture of my son and I cuddling together on the couch -- he's reading a Harry Potter book and I'm reading this.
This book makes some wonderful points about the emotional benefits of a strong mother-son relationship, and the sexist historical baggage that can make them more difficult to achieve. It's written in a very engaging way -- I laughed out loud a number of times -- but backs up its points up with current research.
This book makes some wonderful points about the emotional benefits of a strong mother-son relationship, and the sexist historical baggage that can make them more difficult to achieve. It's written in a very engaging way -- I laughed out loud a number of times -- but backs up its points up with current research.
2 likes · like · see review
I was torn between rating this 3 or 4 stars. The topic was interesting. The author made her point, although sometimes the anecdotes danced in the realm of ick.
The writing seemed a little drawn out, and some chapters were definitely stronger than others. It is unfortunate that the author has to spell out the difference between the relationships she is writing about and ones in which the mothers truly don't want their sons to grow up.
Nothing here seemed really new. I haven't felt pressure to pus...more
This book felt really padded--like it might have made a decent long article--and didn't really speak to me. I am aware of some of the cultural forces she discusses but they didn't resonate with me in my life. Good to know there's one hang-up I don't have.
As a single mother of 3 sons (14,13 and 6yrs old), I found some comfort in this book knowing that it's ok to have great relationships with my sons. I play the dad role as well and sometimes question my mothering closeness. This was a great read for me!
Some good advice in between the often repetitious complaining about how society is trying to separate mothers and sons.
I'm sure I will remember this book when my son is a teenager.
I'm sure I will remember this book when my son is a teenager.
I liked the concepts, but felt it was not well written - too much repetition, chapters seemed disorganized.
Mamas of the world--it is healthy to keep your sons close. The closeness helps create healthly young men.
May 16, 2012
Andrea
marked it as to-read
Heard an interview with the author on NPR and was very intrigued - can't wait to read this one!
Admittedly, I'm a tad biased about this book....
I thought there would be more stories, anecdotes, interviews and less repetition of the same small studies. Couldn't even finish the 1st chapter.
Eh. I don't think I particularly needed permission from society to enjoy hugging my little guy, and like with most books about parenting boys, I found it a little tiring to have to keep tuning out Dad talk. Probably worth a read if you feel pressure from anywhere to toughen up your sons and stop cuddling them, but I'm lucky to live in a son-snuggling bubble and found most of the conclusions to be pretty intuitive and obvious.
This would have been perfectly fine as an essay in a magazine. Too much fluff to fill out a book.
This book celebrates (and pushes for) close mother son relationships. Males who have strong relationships with their mothers are more successful at school, at work and in romantic relationships. Lombardi, a mother of a son, uses research/literature as well as her own interviews of mothers and sons. As the mom of a bighearted little boy, I found it affirming. LOVED it!
I cannot recommend this book more highly for those of us parenting boys. This book is a breath of fresh air and contains good evidence to support the ungendered raising of modern men. Lombardi calls out the dated, homophobic US culture and inspires us to look at our boys differently.
Made a good article, but not enough meat for a book. Anecdotal evidence just seemed to repeat.
Important topic - undermined by pointless repetition & sermonizing.
May 08, 2013
Sarah
marked it as to-read
May 06, 2013
Emily
marked it as to-read
Apr 29, 2013
Deblyons
marked it as to-read
Apr 26, 2013
Mythily Sivarajah
marked it as to-read
Apr 26, 2013
Megan
marked it as to-read
Apr 18, 2013
Laurel Haines
marked it as to-read
Apr 17, 2013
Ephjb
added it
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Kate Stone Lombardi was a regular contributor to The New York Times for 20 years. For seven years, she wrote a popular column, "County Lines" for the paper's regional section. She has written extensively about family life, and her work has also appeared in The Wall Street Journal, Time.com, Reader's Digest, and other national publications. She is the winner of six Clarion awards for journalism. T...more
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Mar 09, 2013 05:18am