About the Book

Ever wondered what was really behind your son’s mask? Based on William Pollack's groundbreaking research at Harvard Medical School over two decades, Real Boys explores why many boys are sad, lonely, and confused although they may appear tough, cheerful, and confident. Pollack challenges conventional expectations about manhood and masculinity that encourage parents to treat boys as little men, raising them through a toughening process that drives their true emotions underground. Only when we understand what boys are really like, says Pollack, can we help them develop more self-confidence and the emotional savvy they need to deal with issues such as depression, love and sexuality, drugs and alcohol, divorce, and violence.

The book is divided into three parts, the first an overview of the “Boy Code” and its effect on boys' development. The second section gives advice to mothers and fathers on how to offset social pressure, so boys can develop into their “real selves.” Part three is a discussion of sadness, suicide, and depression, often misdiagnosed in boys, because they may try to hide it with bravado. There is a section generally approving sports as molder of boys’ character but warning of tyrannical and insensitive coaches, and a section on homosexuality. If you’d like to see your male child in a new light, I recommend you read Real Boys. It’s a very helpful guide to understanding the unique problems and stresses that boys face. And once you understand, you can help him understand, too.

Highly recommended.