21st Century Boys How Modern Life Can Drive Them Off the Rails and How to Get Them Back on Track by Palmer, Sue ( Author ) ON Feb-28-2009, Paperback

by Sue Palmer

A major new insight into the difficulties of raising boys, and how parents can help their sons fulfil their potential. From the author of TOXIC CHILDHOOD.

What's happening to boys? At home, they sprawl before a flickering screen, lost in a solitary, sedentary fantasy world; at school, the choice of role seems limited to nerd or thug, bullied or bullying. By the time they reach their teens, the chances of depression, self-harm, drug or alcohol abuse grow each year. Raising boys has never been more difficult.

For the sake of their sons, parents need to know the facts about how boys develop and how best to protect them from the damaging effects of modern life. Sue Palmer assesses the issues currently confronting boys from birth to when they leave school, and explains how we can all help to ensure they emerge as healthy, normal adults. Based on the latest research from around the world, 21st CENTURY BOYS provides parents, teachers and others with a clear pathway to bringing up boys.

Genres: Parenting, Nonfiction, Education

Paperback

First published May 21, 2009

About the author

Sue Palmer is a former primary headteacher in the Borders of Scotland. She is a literacy specialist, writer, presenter and 'childhood campaigner'. She has written widely on aspects of literacy. She chaired the Scottish Play Commission, served on the Scottish Government's Early Years Task Force and currently chairs the Upstart Scotland campaign.

Reviews

[Robbie S · Rating 3 out of 5]

It seems compelling and well-argued, but I don't entirely trust it. A gut reaction that is hard to justify. So let me make some clear points about slovenliness. No index. The DNA data referred to on p9 as 'see p31' is not on p31. Emersion on p84 is I suppose meant to be immersion. For a literacy expert, this author has not done her proof-reading very well.

[Rosey Fetherston · Rating 4 out of 5]

Lots of research and common sense in this book, which though a little dated still holds up. All Palmer’s advice for the early years is still very possible in families that have a parent at home, I’m not sure how you could avoid much of what she criticises in the care of boys age 4+ if you have your children in mainstream education. I suspect many of the problems she discusses are significantly worse now than they were in 2009 when the book was published.
Her basic ingredients for confident, caring, responsible men are a safe home, nutritious food, plenty of exercise and plenty of sleep for healthy bodies, and love, language, discipline, play and literacy for healthy social and emotional wellbeing. I found the breaking down of the stages of boyhood helpful, and there were quite a few reminders through the book of why I’m doing what I do.

[Debbie Curtis]

Had started reading this book for work. Then I retired! Nevertheless, very though provoking

[Russio · Rating 3 out of 5]

Egad! I have finished this at long last. Boys are bloody terrible aren't they? What we need is some good old-fashioned common sense. Broken down into advice for parents, teachers and politicians (but not for children themselves) this offers a range of pat answers that often have something to day that is worth hearing but are often far of the mark in their inaccuracy: 21st Century kids listening to gangsta rap - this is surely a long way out of date. What is more galling are that these opinions parade as fact and the evidence is so thin "a researcher says.." etc. In Toxic Childhood Sue Palmer identified the problem. Here, in gendering it, her analysis is diluted. Her biggest issue, however, is that she seems to have lost hope for those who are already teenagers. I work with them - hope is vital!

[Steve Gillway · Rating 4 out of 5]

As a father of an 11 year old I was recommended this book by a friend. It is pretty comprehensive and cogently argued. I would say that she was preaching to the converted with me on many of the issues here. However, her focus on the village aspect means that outside your own family there are things you can do in the wider community. The latter part of the book was the most interesting for me as it deals with older kids. The case studies are useful additions giving an aspect of realism to general theoretical arguments. It is particularly focused on the UK. I would have liked more internationalism.

[Dawn · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a good book but is a dnf for me because I lost interest as I have read similar information before. I would recommend it if you haven't read much on this subject before, but nothing new here if you have.

[Carol Ferro · Rating 5 out of 5]

A fascinating discussion of modern childhood and its effect particularly on boys. Well-written, well-researched and enlightening. Anyone who raises, works with or even lives near boys should give this a read. It explains a lot, without doom-mongering.

[Catherine Drake · Rating 5 out of 5]

Well researched, passionate and insightful book on how boys are struggling in this fearful, technological & consumer obsessed era. She looks at what parents, schools, communities and politicians can do to improve boys' chances of becoming happy well adjusted adults.