Raising Boys: Why Boys Are Different-And How to Help Them Become Happy and Well-Balanced Men

Rating:
Summary: A Mixed Review
Review: In general, I enjoyed this book. It is well written and an easy read (you could probably get through it in one evening). I especially liked the delightful little drawings. I agreed with much of what the author was saying. Although we try and do the best we can and be balanced in our parenting, we cannot change the fact that boys and girls are different. What we need to do is to embrace those differences and work with them.

I just found the book to fall a little short in that much of it was common sense, and the author made many statements on what boys need, yet did not give suggestions on how to bring that about. Also, the author quotes many Australian stories, studies, examples, etc., which is fine if your Australian. I was hoping to relate to the stories a bit more.

Overall, not a very useful book, but enjoyable to read nonetheless.

Rating:
Summary: good reading
Review: Overall the book is worth the purchase. I got the most from the sections of the book on early childhood. I did disagree with many points about early adolesence in the way of handling homosexuality and pornography. But, what I disagreed with was a small portion of the book. I was enlightened by most of the book. I am a very busy mom. The writing style was conducive to my lifestyle.

Rating:
Summary: Helped me feel confident about single parenting a boy.
Review: Raising Boys is an excellent book that really highlights the ins and outs of raising a son. My wife and I read it prior to our son's birth. It prepared us for what to expect and I found myself laughing aloud at some of the stories. Some reminded me of my childhood with my brother and friends. I have kept it to review every couple of years since its easy to forget key points about ages beyond my son's age.

Rating:
Summary: Right on the mark
Review: Raising Boys is an excellent book that really highlights the ins and outs of raising a son. My wife and I read it prior to our son's birth. It prepared us for what to expect and I found myself laughing aloud at some of the stories. Some reminded me of my childhood with my brother and friends. I have kept it to review every couple of years since its easy to forget key points about ages beyond my son's age.

Rating:
Summary: straightforward matter of fact look at boys and their needs.
Review: Steve Biddulf has written a number a books in the Australian/New Zealand context on Parenting. His words about Boys are simple and matter of fact. Boys will not grow up to be sound men without help. This help can only come from the input of sound Men [preferably dad]at critical times in a boys maturation. Mom's are very important but they can't teach a boy how to be a man, for that the boys need a safe, strong male to model. Steve Biddulf sets out to help Dad's and Mum's sort out, First - what does it really mean when we say 'boys will be boys'? Second - How can I assist, as a parent, in helping my son to become aware of his 'maleness' and then assisting him to become a sound, loving but not wimpy man. Third - he tackles the thorny issue of single mums raising a son, how does mum, who can't be a man, raise her son? First recognising she needs help, then sorting out what to do about it. His style is simple, funny and never patronising. He is pointing out a real problem and proposing from a wealth of clinical and parenting experience his matter of fact pathway through the minefield. I loved the book, though I didn't agree with everything init, it has helped me focus on how to plan my relationship with my son. If you get the chance to listen to him in the flesh take it he is very good.

Rating:
Summary: Gives confidence and direction to parents of boys.
Review: Steve Biddulph passed thru our city in a series of standing-room only lectures a couple of years back; his advice to parents, community and educators is invaluable; we have 3 sons and found him practical and positive; we were made to feel that our boys, while not 'little miss goodie 2 shoes', are perfectly normal; he also gave us the confidence to know when it is appropriate for Mum to let Dad take over, when to let the community and mentors to take over, etc. A great relief for Mums!

Rating:
Summary: Clear, simple and excellent advice
Review: Teaching at a boys' school and having raised two boys of my own, I found I kept saying "yes, that's what happened" or "doesn't that sound familiar" or "I've been saying that, in a different way, for years". The book is well written, clear, with good examples and stories. Most importantly, it lays out how to do and be the best for your sons.

Rating:
Summary: Good as a Companion to "Manhood"
Review: The stories are enchanting, and the information interesting. This is not a "how to" book, however. Instead, it is a general overview with many particular examples and explanations. The author's recommendations are straightforward and affirming, to fathers, mothers, and sons. He cares for and accepts the foibles and modes of boyhood. Biddulph has a whole chapter on the effects of testosterone, and I thought that was a little overdone, since our humaneness, as he notes many times later in the book, is not biologically determined.

Rating:
Summary: Pretty good review of boyhood...
Review: The stories are enchanting, and the information interesting. This is not a "how to" book, however. Instead, it is a general overview with many particular examples and explanations. The author's recommendations are straightforward and affirming, to fathers, mothers, and sons. He cares for and accepts the foibles and modes of boyhood. Biddulph has a whole chapter on the effects of testosterone, and I thought that was a little overdone, since our humaneness, as he notes many times later in the book, is not biologically determined.

Rating:
Summary: this book is helping my husband & me to understand my son .
Review: there is so much to learn about our son's behavior and it's easy to accept the simply put suggestions offerered by steve i'm going to reccomend this book to some of my friends in bombay india as we can help our children become happy young men who can succed as they grow.