Boys Adrift: The Five Factors Driving the Growing Epidemic of Unmotivated Boys and Underachieving Young Men

by Leonard Sax (Autor)

Paperback, 2016

Status

Available

Call number

371.823

Genres

General Nonfiction

Nonfiction

All Topics

Collection

Parenting

Publication

Basic Books (2016), Edition: 2, 352 pages

Description

Something scary is happening to boys today. From kindergarten to college, American boys are, on average, less resilient and less ambitious than they were a mere twenty years ago. The gender gap in college attendance and graduation rates has widened dramatically. While Emily is working hard at school and getting A's, her brother Justin is goofing off. He's more concerned about getting to the next level in his videogame than about finishing his homework. Now, Dr. Leonard Sax delves into the scientific literature and draws on more than twenty years of clinical experience to explain why boys and young men are failing in school and disengaged at home. He shows how social, cultural, and biological factors have created an environment that is literally toxic to boys. He also presents practical solutions, sharing strategies which educators have found effective in re-engaging these boys at school, as well as handy tips for parents about everything from homework, to videogames, to medication.… (more)

User reviews

LibraryThing member tyroeternal

I was struck by how accurately a few of the problems cited lined up with experiences in my own life. Along the same lines, I was intrigued by the similarities between the solutions he suggested for those issues, and how I had resolved the problems I was experiencing.

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LibraryThing member hapyreina1920

This author is a M.D. and has a Ph.D, his research has compelling evidence towards same-sex education. Society is certainly more lax in their attitudes and motivation but in the end it is the parents hard job of raising healthy,holy,positive,productive children. There are some good suggestions to

aid us in the end.

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LibraryThing member reader1009

Adult Nonfiction. A thought-provoking book for parents and educators (and anyone else who knows an unmotivated male--and most likely you do); talks about the problem of unmotivated boys/men and explores possible causes/solutions, including the results of dozens of scientific studies that suggest

the negative impact of these causes. Summary: ( 1.) we should reconsider the accelerated format of kindergarten--push that reading and writing stuff back into first grade; reconsider different learning environments: more hands-on learning, healthy in-class academic competition (as a motivational tool), and even, in some cases, segregating the boys in their own classrooms. ( 2.) Limit the use of video games (esp. games that reward immoral behavior) to an hour or less a day, and make sure kids understand that family, school, and friends come first. ( 3.) Think twice before prescribing ADHD medication (duh). ( 4.) Try to limit use of PET plastic bottles (the ones we use for bottled water, soda, and baby bottles), esp. when such a bottle has been heated (extra leaching), but in any case when a young child or infant is concerned (male or female, but especially if male). Use glass containers instead. (5.) More responsible male role models.

Even if you don't fully believe all the reasons (though many of the arguments are too strong to really ignore), it's still worth reading all the things that people have written in response to the author's work.

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