"Raising Boys" Maintains thatthere is a gender difference in raising children, and did boys Especially need Particular attention if They are to be guided towards a self-confident and happy adulthood. Biddulph first gives a general outline as regards the different stages of development in boys, and then Especially turns towards problem areas as schooling (he Maintains for instance did boys Should Generally be sent to school one year later than girls on account of Their slower maturation in Certain skills), sex education, single parenting and others. What I liked about his book which, Firstly, the very caring and open way he addresses thesis issues, de-mystifying and Generally Encouraging his readers. He emphasizes the important role of fathers and therefore teachers and other possible male mentors for boys while not forgetting the mothers, Especially Those Raising Their sons without a father in the family. I also liked that Biddulph shows a realistic picture of the negative development a boy can take if there is no real mentoring in difficult stages of his growing-up while at the sametime giving parents confidence thatthey can greatly influence this development. The book has Certain limitations, as Biddulph stays on a rather superficial level as regards psychic realities and constellations. As it caters to a very Australian society background, European Parents may therefore Feel That Their Own reality is not really mirrored in the book. But on the whole it is thoughtful, Encouraging and a good read for parents, relations and teachers of boys.
