The Good Son: Shaping the Moral Development of Our Boys and Young Men

Rating:
Summary: Long Overdue Focus on Raising Young Men
Review: "The Good Son" by Michael Gurian (a therapist and educator) is a book for parents designed with the intention of helping them raise a morally grounded son. Subtitled "Shaping the Moral Development of Our Boys and Young Men", I felt Mr. Gurian did a great job by dividing up the chapters into specific age groups (infant, toddler, teen, etc.). I am not inclined to read these types of books (self-help, how-to), but with heavy pressure from my fellow parents and their strong recommendations I'm sure glad I did. We are presented with the physical, emotional, and psychological growth that we can expect and how this will effect the behavior of our boy(s). The book is crammed with excellent examples - some quite inspiring - from Mr. Wolfe's practice as well as practical guides to discipline, "rules to live by", and the "range of normal". Despite the subtitle the book is not moralistic or preachy, but rather focuses on helping parents instill their own belief system into their child. In our politically correct world, I particularly enjoyed the explanations of the differences between boys and girls and how they interpret the world around them (they're different! Who knew?) Throughout the book, medical research is presented (some well known and some fairly recent) to back up his ideas. In our politically correct and gender neutral idealized society it is refreshing to hear someone unafraid to speak the obvious. Ultimately, the information is neither bound to dry medical text nor religious ideology, but rather, a very readable and fun resource for parents.

Rating:
Summary: Raising your son to excellence
Review: A refreshing concept in today's wasteland of corruption. Gurian tells how to raise boys with character, morals and old-fashioned values. Values much forgotten in the current quest for achievement and financial success. I like Gurian's book because it guides parents through trouble spots of child-rearing: early toddler years and on through young adulthood. A book one will refer to many times as the child develops. Another helpful approach to positive parenting is found in Father, Son, Three-Mile Run. Check it out. A great inspirational guide for parents. Both books recommended.

Rating:
Summary: Discipline means loving guidance
Review: Gurian details the necessity to develop a keen understanding of what makes boys good, necessary in light of the current "crisis" situation with boys out of control: the shootings, rampages and sheer anger befalling our boys. Talk shows haven't answers to morality issues--gather your own info from caring professionals. Gurian outlines how to circumvent problems, explaining why boys seek limits, and that we must supply them. Boys' brains are different than girls' because they are mapped to make them attracted to more "hyper" things. They also thirst for order, and want us to provide it.

Rating:
Summary: Parents, Please Read!
Review: I can't say enough about Michael's work. All parents with boys need this information. All institutions need to to consider the model he offers. Mr. Gurian is a fabulous author as well as researcher. I worked in juvenile probation for 12 years and have been in private practice for 18 years. I now run four men's groups a week. Mr. Gurian certainly affirms all I have experienced and believe.

Rating:
Summary: Parents, Please Read!
Review: I can't say enough about Michael's work. All parents with boys need this information. All institutions need to to consider the model he offers. Mr. Gurian is a fabulous author as well as researcher. I worked in juvenile probation for 12 years and have been in private practice for 18 years. I now run four men's groups a week. Mr. Gurian certainly affirms all I have experienced and believe.

Rating:
Summary: The Good Son (abridged audio book)
Review: I purchased abridged version because this is my first audio book. I finished it in two days because it was such intelligently written reading. The author speaks very straightforwardly and in a logical progression that is easy to follow. I will buy the book now and pass these tapes along to a friend.

Rating:
Summary: Easy reading
Review: In a world that's become so consumed with political correctness, it's refreshing to see a man who has the courage to use words like "morals" and "ethics." As the new father of a 7-month-old boy, I was excited to receive this book as a gift. Gurian eloquently, yet plainly, defines many of the problems facing our youth and society that I'd long suspected to be true -- problems much of mainstream America would just as soon ignore or pretend do not exist. In a world that has long embraced moral relativism, a voice of reason like Gurian's is long overdue. I only question Dr. Gurian's occasional assertions that delve into fields in which he may not be fully qualified (such as genetics, biology, religion, etc.). More than anything, Gurian draws attention to a topic we desperatley need to be contemplating.

Rating:
Summary: Gurian on the right track
Review: In a world that's become so consumed with political correctness, it's refreshing to see a man who has the courage to use words like "morals" and "ethics." As the new father of a 7-month-old boy, I was excited to receive this book as a gift. Gurian eloquently, yet plainly, defines many of the problems facing our youth and society that I'd long suspected to be true -- problems much of mainstream America would just as soon ignore or pretend do not exist. In a world that has long embraced moral relativism, a voice of reason like Gurian's is long overdue. I only question Dr. Gurian's occasional assertions that delve into fields in which he may not be fully qualified (such as genetics, biology, religion, etc.). More than anything, Gurian draws attention to a topic we desperatley need to be contemplating.

Rating:
Summary: Good Information for a Good Parent
Review: Like many other books on this subject, this one ignores the inevitable post traumatic stress that results from genital mutilation. Sixty percent of American boys are subjected to this primitive superstitious rite, which has no significant medical value. Any writer who purports to be on the side of boys and doesn't have the courage to actively criticize this particularly horrible form of sexual abuse is doing boys a disservice. If sixty percent of American girl babies were subjected to having pieces of their genitals cut off, in most cases without anesthesia, there would be an incredible upcry. The fact that this author fails to see this reveals that he, like the rest of our culture, doesn't really care about the well being of boy children.

Rating:
Summary: Ignores negative effect of circumcision
Review: Like many other books on this subject, this one ignores the inevitable post traumatic stress that results from genital mutilation. Sixty percent of American boys are subjected to this primitive superstitious rite, which has no significant medical value. Any writer who purports to be on the side of boys and doesn't have the courage to actively criticize this particularly horrible form of sexual abuse is doing boys a disservice. If sixty percent of American girl babies were subjected to having pieces of their genitals cut off, in most cases without anesthesia, there would be an incredible upcry. The fact that this author fails to see this reveals that he, like the rest of our culture, doesn't really care about the well being of boy children.