Overview

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.

Full Product Details

9780465040827

Table of Contents

Reviews

This book is insightful, engaging, and easy to read. It is essential reading for parents of girls and boys, and for those who expect to become parents. I have passed my copy of the book to my daughter. The epidemic of unmotivated boys and underachieving men is real and demands action; this book provides a carefully researched analysis of the problem and offers useful advice on how to deal with it. --Professor Craig Anderson, Iowa State University Dr. Sax has performed an outstanding service in identifying and exploring a disturbing and overlooked trend: the vast number of boys who seem to be disengaging from school and from their own potential. His analysis of this problem, as well as his engaging insights and advice for parents, make this a must-read for anyone who is frustrated with what is happening to boys in our culture--or to anyone who is struggling to raise a healthy, happy, and successful son. --Ron Henry, Men's Health Network, sponsor of the Boys and Schools Project Boys Adrift is a compelling and thought-provoking examination of the male crisis in contemporary American society. True to form, Dr. Sax balances research with narrative to produce a readable text that explores social, environmental, and cultural factors contributing to this crisis and offers us sensible suggestions that will help right the course for our boys and men. A must read for all of us! --Doug MacIsaac, Department of Teacher Education, Stetson University Dr. Sax has the amazing talent of pulling together complicated scientific and cultural data from multiple sources to provide a stunning and compelling argument regarding this growing problem familiar to parents as well as to professionals who work with underachieving boys and young men. Thankfully, he also presents concrete solutions and resources for helping our young men avoid these pitfalls. --Flo Hilliard, University of Wisconsin-Madison Leonard Sax brings good science and gifted writing to his analysis of our biggest social problem in Boys Adrift. I know something of the literature on unmotivated boys and was surprised by how much I learned. Expect to be newly interested in plastic bottles and much else besides. --Steven E. Rhoads, professor of politics at the University of Virginia, author of Taking Sex Differences Seriously Boys Adrift presents a straightforward argument that incorporates solid research and, thankfully, does not blame feminism.... Sax also makes sure to remind us that he doesn't think girls have it easier. But at a time when it is almost unusual to find a young man with drive and direction, Sax's work is an important part of a growing public discussion. --The Stranger A cry to all of us to notice what's happening to our sons.... Sax doesn't just sound the alarm bell; he offers solutions. --Psychotherapy Networker If you're the parent of a boy, Dr. Sax's book Boys Adrift is required reading.... This is fascinating, often unsettling stuff. Fortunately, Dr. Sax offers a program for change. His important book gives a wholly original perspective on American boys in decline, and thankfully offers information to help reverse this trend. --Book Page Startling...like a brick thrown through your window. --Canadian Broadcasting Corporation Boys Adrift is an important entry into the conversation. This call to reconsider how the boy becomes the man is worth heeding. --Cleveland Plain Dealer Sax's documentation is thorough and impressive. This is an important book, especially for parents and educators, but for anyone who is concerned with the well-being of our society and its young people. --Daily Herald Until recently, there have been two groups of people: those who argue sex differences are innate and should be embraced and those who insist that they are learned and should be eliminated by changing the environment. Sax is one of the few in the middle--convinced that boys and girls are innately different and that we must change the environment so differences don't become limitations. --Time [Boys Adrift is] informative and eminently readable.... I strongly recommend that you read Boys Adrift. --Bishop Robert Barron, Catholic News Agency A must-read for any parent of boys. This is real science, and Dr. Sax thoroughly uncovers the important health issues that parents of boys need to be tuned into. --Dr. Mehmet Oz, Professor and Vice Chairman, New York Presbyterian Hospital, Columbia University Interesting, helpful, and very insightful. An important book. --Dr. Bill Bennett, former US secretary of education and former chair of the National Endowment for the Humanities Fascinating...terrifying....Sax identifies an epidemic of lost boys. Luckily, he offers solutions. --Globe and Mail (Canada) Excellent and informative references and information are provided....Powerfully and persuasively presented. --Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA)

This book is insightful, engaging, and easy to read. It is essential reading for parents of girls and boys, and for those who expect to become parents. I have passed my copy of the book to my daughter. The epidemic of unmotivated boys and underachieving men is real and demands action; this book provides a carefully researched analysis of the problem and offers useful advice on how to deal with it. --Professor Craig Anderson, Iowa State University Dr. Sax has performed an outstanding service in identifying and exploring a disturbing and overlooked trend: the vast number of boys who seem to be disengaging from school and from their own potential. His analysis of this problem, as well as his engaging insights and advice for parents, make this a must-read for anyone who is frustrated with what is happening to boys in our culture--or to anyone who is struggling to raise a healthy, happy, and successful son. --Ron Henry, Men's Health Network, sponsor of the Boys and Schools Project Boys Adrift is a compelling and thought-provoking examination of the male crisis in contemporary American society. True to form, Dr. Sax balances research with narrative to produce a readable text that explores social, environmental, and cultural factors contributing to this crisis and offers us sensible suggestions that will help right the course for our boys and men. A must read for all of us! --Doug MacIsaac, Department of Teacher Education, Stetson University Dr. Sax has the amazing talent of pulling together complicated scientific and cultural data from multiple sources to provide a stunning and compelling argument regarding this growing problem familiar to parents as well as to professionals who work with underachieving boys and young men. Thankfully, he also presents concrete solutions and resources for helping our young men avoid these pitfalls. --Flo Hilliard, University of Wisconsin-Madison Leonard Sax brings good science and gifted writing to his analysis of our biggest social problem in Boys Adrift. I know something of the literature on unmotivated boys and was surprised by how much I learned. Expect to be newly interested in plastic bottles and much else besides. --Steven E. Rhoads, professor of politics at the University of Virginia, author of Taking Sex Differences Seriously Boys Adrift presents a straightforward argument that incorporates solid research and, thankfully, does not blame feminism.... Sax also makes sure to remind us that he doesn't think girls have it easier. But at a time when it is almost unusual to find a young man with drive and direction, Sax's work is an important part of a growing public discussion. --The Stranger A cry to all of us to notice what's happening to our sons.... Sax doesn't just sound the alarm bell; he offers solutions. --Psychotherapy Networker If you're the parent of a boy, Dr. Sax's book Boys Adrift is required reading.... This is fascinating, often unsettling stuff. Fortunately, Dr. Sax offers a program for change. His important book gives a wholly original perspective on American boys in decline, and thankfully offers information to help reverse this trend. --Book Page Startling...like a brick thrown through your window. --Canadian Broadcasting Corporation Boys Adrift is an important entry into the conversation. This call to reconsider how the boy becomes the man is worth heeding. --Cleveland Plain Dealer Sax's documentation is thorough and impressive. This is an important book, especially for parents and educators, but for anyone who is concerned with the well-being of our society and its young people. --Daily Herald Until recently, there have been two groups of people: those who argue sex differences are innate and should be embraced and those who insist that they are learned and should be eliminated by changing the environment. Sax is one of the few in the middle--convinced that boys and girls are innately different and that we must change the environment so differences don't become limitations. --Time [Boys Adrift is] informative and eminently readable.... I strongly recommend that you read Boys Adrift. --Bishop Robert Barron, Catholic News Agency A must-read for any parent of boys. This is real science, and Dr. Sax thoroughly uncovers the important health issues that parents of boys need to be tuned into. --Dr. Mehmet Oz, Professor and Vice Chairman, New York Presbyterian Hospital, Columbia University Excellent and informative references and information are provided....Powerfully and persuasively presented. --Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA) Interesting, helpful, and very insightful. An important book. --Dr. Bill Bennett, former US secretary of education and former chair of the National Endowment for the Humanities Fascinating...terrifying....Sax identifies an epidemic of lost boys. Luckily, he offers solutions. --Globe and Mail (Canada)

Sax's discussion of a failure to launch will ring true for many parents and other concerned adults, and his final chapter on detoxing the modern environment for boys and girls should provoke both thought and action. Though Sax's book is written in a conversational tone, his documentation is thorough and impressive. This is an important book, especially for parents and educators, but for anyone who is concerned with the well-being of our society and its young people. --The Daily Herald Sax, in his pointed, conversational new book, Boys Adrift, reports seeing something new in his medical practice, and hearing something disturbing in the comments after his talks around the nation. Parents and girlfriends describe boys and young men plastered to the controls of their video games, hostile to school, disconnected from adult men and listless on academic steroids prescribed to them for attention deficit disorders. Sax zeroes in on these maladies . . .Boys Adrift is an important entry into the conversation. This call to reconsider how the boy becomes the man is worth heeding. --The Cleveland Plain Dealer Boys Adrift presents a straightforward argument that incorporates solid research and, thankfully, does not blame feminism. . . Sax also makes sure to remind us that he doesn't think girls have it easier. But at a time when it is almost unusual to find a young man with drive and direction, Sax's work is an important part of a growing public discussion. --The Stranger Boys Adrift is a must-read for any parent of boys. This is real science, and Dr. Sax thoroughly uncovers the important health issues that parents of boys need to be tuned into. --Dr. Mehmet Oz Startling...like a brick thrown through your window. --CBC Fascinating...terrifying...Sax identifies an epidemic of lost boys. Luckily, he offers solutions. --Glob and Mail (Canada) Excellent and informative references and information are provided . . . Powerfully and persuasively presented. --The Journal of the American Medical Association

Author Information

Leonard Sax, M.D., Ph.D., is a family physician, psychologist, and author of Girls on the Edge and Why Gender Matters. Also the founder and executive director of the National Association for Single Sex Public Education (NASSPE), Sax is an active lecturer and has appeared CNN, PBS, The Today Show, Fox News, NPR's Talk of the Nation, among many other high-profile media outlets. Sax lives in Exton, Pennsylvania.

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