Have been thinking about this for years. Had a daughter and sort of knew what to do - feminist fairytales, etc. Had a son and felt this sort of screeching halt trying to figure it out. Mine are a bit older - 14 yo daughter and 11 yo son. When you get to things a bit older - we love the Vanderbeeker series of books - amazing family in Harlem with one boy in a family of girls who are always getting themselves into all sorts of adventures and challenges. Watched the Giver last night and it was great that the receiver who had to deal with all the memories of feelings, etc was a boy. Younger kids - loved Iggy Peck Architect. That whole series of books are fantastic for portraying a diverse group of kids with different personalities. Will have to think more about what we’ve loved over the years that give a broader view on what it can mean to be a boy.
On the point of raising sons, I’m reading a fantastic book called How Can I Get Through To You? by marriage and family therapist Terry Real. It’s about psychological patriarchy - the devaluing of the “feminine” and the vaunting of the “masculine” within each individual’s psyche, which is wreaking havoc on the mental health and relational life of men and women. Especially in this age where the ideals of equity and equality are taught but end up ringing hollow. We absolutely need to stop that.
Emily Tisch Sussman’s piece on raising sons touched my heart. 34 years ago when listening to my son and nurturing his sensitivity I knew I was raising a good person. I had done the same with his sister two years before and there was no reason to change my philosophy.
I now look at my son, and daughter, who are kind, sensitive,thoughtful individuals. I know I made plenty of mistakes in parenting. That was not one of them.
Have been thinking about this for years. Had a daughter and sort of knew what to do - feminist fairytales, etc. Had a son and felt this sort of screeching halt trying to figure it out. Mine are a bit older - 14 yo daughter and 11 yo son. When you get to things a bit older - we love the Vanderbeeker series of books - amazing family in Harlem with one boy in a family of girls who are always getting themselves into all sorts of adventures and challenges. Watched the Giver last night and it was great that the receiver who had to deal with all the memories of feelings, etc was a boy. Younger kids - loved Iggy Peck Architect. That whole series of books are fantastic for portraying a diverse group of kids with different personalities. Will have to think more about what we’ve loved over the years that give a broader view on what it can mean to be a boy.
On the point of raising sons, I’m reading a fantastic book called How Can I Get Through To You? by marriage and family therapist Terry Real. It’s about psychological patriarchy - the devaluing of the “feminine” and the vaunting of the “masculine” within each individual’s psyche, which is wreaking havoc on the mental health and relational life of men and women. Especially in this age where the ideals of equity and equality are taught but end up ringing hollow. We absolutely need to stop that.
Emily Tisch Sussman’s piece on raising sons touched my heart. 34 years ago when listening to my son and nurturing his sensitivity I knew I was raising a good person. I had done the same with his sister two years before and there was no reason to change my philosophy.
I now look at my son, and daughter, who are kind, sensitive,thoughtful individuals. I know I made plenty of mistakes in parenting. That was not one of them.