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