From scary mental health statistics, to the #me too movement, parents wanting to raise their gorgeous little boys to be good men face significant challenges today.

Research tells us we treat girls and boys differently.  We ask daughters how they feel more often than sons, and when girls get hurt, parents comfort them more than they do boys.  Many new parents have a largely unspoken but pervasive belief that we should bring up boys to be stoic, to hide their feelings, to become quickly independent.

The result?

The combination of  unconscious gender-based parenting practices with the culture we live in today leaves  many boys growing up feeling ashamed of their emotions and becoming  men who can't communicate well.  Superficially tough, confident, and cheerful, but underneath  sad, lonely, and confused.  They have a mask of masculinity and false bravado, the need to be aggressive, to win, and to ignore or repress feelings of vulnerability.

It’s our belief, informed by the latest clinical thinking and research, that for boys to be happy, healthy and successful, with a deep capacity for intimate relationships, they must be allowed to have feelings, show empathy and  be able to express a wide range of emotions. Of course there are differences between  boys and girls that need to be respected, but limited definitions of male and female are misguided and have lead us into trouble. This is solidly supported by the latest research study Jesuit Social Services’ Men’s Project which found men who endorse dominant ideals of masculinity are more likely than other men to have greater health risks and engage in poor behaviours, such as consider suicide, drink to excess, take risks, and drive dangerously.

As parents, families and communities we urgently need to redefine what it means to be male. And from the first days of life we should promote healthy, respectful and ethical alternatives to traditional masculine ideals. Our little boys’ health and happiness depend on it.

Enquire today about our RAISING BOYS workshops for all ages.

Solutions and support.                                                                                                        Informed by science. Motivated by love.