The Wonder of Boys by Michael Gurian Summary and Reviews
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Book Reviews of The Wonder of Boys
Book Review: Read Real Boys Instead!
Summary: 1 Stars
After reading "Real Boys" I found this book to be a huge disappointment. Not only is it sexist and based on little or no research, but it provides very little practical or positive information. "Real Boys" presented much more loving, positive and well researched material.Book Review: Realistic view of boyhood with tough solutions.
Summary: 4 Stars
As I read this book I knew many women would have a tough time with this straight discussion about boys and men. I also knew that many men would immediately see themselves and their sons and know right away that this author was making incredible sense. More importantly, the solutions of strong male role models, mentors, healthy discipline and a commitment to teaching boys moral and social value on their terms is "right on".Book Review: Same Sexist Rubbish As "The Wonder of Girls"
Summary: 1 Stars
All of Gurian's books are based on the theory of hormones affecting the brain in utero.Gurian rattles on about how
gender misfits are created through girls getting too much
testostrone and boys too little.What a fails to tell us is
how all hormones are cousins,testostrone,esrtogen,androgens etc.
You have a choice between two "normal" children,the boy who
roughhouses and the girl who plays with dolls and yearns for
romance and intimacy.All other very human and individual
traits are discarded as a mistake.
The book is dangerous since it gives a map of how boys and men are "supposed" to behave,learn and excell in life.His take on
men has to do with his bias against girls and women.The boys
and men,or what he says are normal behavior for boys are men are
aggressive,non verbal communication skills,math,science and
spatial ability and an ability to controll emotions,there by
being better able to grasp the complex nature of daily life.
If your son doesn't fit his narrow interpetation of "male" then
he is said to have a female brain.Same with girl,defective girl
has male brain.He fails to tell us brains are brains and how
we develope connections by using or being exposed to certain
stimuli such as math vs language.If a child to lead in the
direction of a certain subject,they will develope pathways in
their brain for the subject.But don't tell this to Gurian
because it blows all his concepts and theories right out of the
water!
Gurian gives too many expectations to boys.The responsibility
falls squarely on the male in performance,aggression and
math ability.If someone's son doesn't add up,somehow then the
child is lacking,is defective and odd.Since so much is expected of men and boys,and not enough of girls.
People are individuals with individual brains.When this is
realized these sexist books will become a thing of the past and
the writers will be forgotten and disdained.
Book Review: Single Mothers 1 Stars
The differences between females and males was truly the best part of the book. After that I had several disappointments. As a single Mother I am looking for suggestions and guidance. This author states that no matter what we do as parents are children's lifestyles and habits are based on how their brains are formed!! How discouraging. There were also other references that go against my own personal and spirtual beliefs. My suggestion to other potential readers is to read this book from a different perspective. Do not read it as a guide as I did. Read it as another viewpoint out there about the incredible world of boys.Book Review: Take Care! Anti-female bias here!
Summary: 1 Stars
Since Americans have begun questioning the value of the John Wayne male stereotype (Thank goodness!), it's essential that we look at how we raise boys -- who they are, who we want them to be and how to help them get there. I'm happy to say that there are several (other) books out now that ask good questions and offer positive insights and advice on raising strong and healthy boys. Gurian's book, however, while it raises some important boys' issues, offers "facts" that don't quite jibe. Plus, his ideas have an anti-female, and anti-feminist tone.
This is ironic since it was women and men in the feminist movement who, while questioning female stereotypes, first pointed out the destructiveness of the macho "ideal." Let's give up and get over that other stereotype and realize that by being pro-female you don't have to be anti-male (or pro-male and anti-female). The reality is, we want to help boys and girls grow into healthy, strong, happy adults. ! There's lots of work to be done to help both genders blossom.
Check out _Real Boys_ or _Unraveling the Gender Knot_ for great discussions about boys that don't have to put down the work being done on women's and girls' issues.