Bringing Up Boys

Most people struggle in raising well-adjusted Christian boys. The Morine family is no different. Since my wife and I have both a boy and a girl, we decided to read both Bringing Up Boys and Bringing Up Girls. Even though it makes for extra reading, Bringing Up Boys has been a huge blessing. This book is written by the local and nationally known author Dr. James Dobson. When I first picked up Bringing Up Boys, I thought it would be more of a step by step process in training young men. Of course, there is a ton of useful advice along these lines, but the book seems to have a broader focus. It begins with explaining the neurological difference between boys and girls. He counters some of the modern thinking of refusing to acknowledge the uniqueness of the genders. Boys are different, and therefore the methods in raising them will be different. The book transitions to detailing the need to protect young boys from the dangers in the world. This is a passion of mine as I have felt that Christianity has pacified men. The boy's spirit is one that is becoming feminized in the world. Young boys cannot shoot guns, be warriors, and live for adventure. It seems that some in Christianity prefer that boys be "nice guys", which is a turn off for the man's spirit. Jesus was not "Mother Teresa" but the perfect combination of the Lamb and Lion of Judah. Dobson argues that "boys must be boys." Of course, this must be shaped through the fruit of the Spirit and the image of Christ. Dobson moves to more specific advice by addressing fathers, mothers, and grandparents. Each role has a purpose to play in shaping a healthy self-image for the young man. When these characters are removed, there seem to be long lasting scars that remain. Some of these scars can develop into a homosexual orientation for a young man because he is being developed inappropriately. The author has a whole chapter on the development of homosexual feelings within guys. Another excellent chapter presents Dobson's attempt to overcome some of the negative stereotypes of men described in society and in the media. He refuses to allow movies and the television to dictate the image of the man. Hollywood seems to portray man as a "fool" in most shows. The husband or male figure is pictured as an immature "idiot" who, on his own, is unable to think and function in this world. He must have the strong and smart woman to "boss" him around. Instead of seeing men as leaders in the home, Hollywood pictures the man as just another boy for the woman to tend. James Dobson moves to some more practical matters in the final chapters of the book. He deals with the issue of school. He notes that many a boy's spirit has been crushed because of unmerciful teasing in the school yard and classroom. He adamantly refuses to subject a child to this behavior. It does not teach him to be a man but to be insincere. Dr. Dobson also turns his attention to predators in this world. The world is becoming increasingly more sexually sick. Parents must be aware of these shifts and guard the child from this. Never assume anything, but guard against these predators, whether they be other adults or the media that is filtered through the computer or television. He submits two chapters on "staying close" to the boy. Teaching a boy to be a man means mentorship. And the final chapter deals with disciplining the boy. All through this book there is wisdom to be gained. Do your boy a favor, and read this text; you and he will be thankful.

It's such a privilege and commitment to be a parent, I'm now aware about my responsabilités and my kid's behavior

Mi hermano que es Pastor, me lo recomendó, así que lo compré. Es un gran libro Ayuda para la crianza de tu hijo.

Excellent book! Great read! Very insightful! Highly recommend this for any parents of boys.

What a phenominal book for parents! I wish I had read it years ago when my now 24-yr old son was still a toddler. Since I have a 13 year old son still at home, I know that he and I will benefit from the contents of Dr. Dobson's book. Raising boys in today's culture is especially challenging. I want my sons to grow up confident, brave, respectful, and godly. That won't happen by accident, especially with all the negative influences in the American culture today: television, video games, music, pornography, etc. This book is full of statistics from national and international studies, expert advice from professionals in the fields of psychological, child development, theology, etc. Besides all that, it is a very entertaining read. I didn't want to put it down! It affirmed my efforts as a mother desiring to give the best to her son, it challenged me to expect more from my child, and encouraged me fight against those things in our culture that come against the family and God. Thank you, Dr. Dobson for writing this very important book. I plan to recommend it to friends and family and I may even share my copy.

I bought this book after seeing a neighbor boy (4 y/o) taunted by the neighborhood girls and watching how he dealt with it. I have a toddler son myself and never growing up with brothers does not help me understand what he is going through. This book was helpful in that and in putting it in the context of our current world. There are not enough men of substance out there and this comes, in great part, from a lack of good parenting. Oddly enough, coming from a man who in typical man fashion needs things clearly spelled out for him--this book lacks enough practical suggestions and advice for dealing with issues. It reminds me of sermons that are long winded on what the congregation, as a whole already knows without any suggestions for practical application. Dobson gives you a lot of information to support his opinions but most of the practical suggestions are at nuggeted into a paragraph or two in the last chapters. The book would have done better with a more formal structure that his editor failed to provide. What I did learn from it was how the society I grew up in that told me I could "have it all" as a woman, was not true. I suspected as such just from watching my working mother juggle with all the duties she had. I think mothers & fathers are so consumed with "having" it all and giving their kids "stuff" that they forget that the most important thing as parents is TO PARENT with wisdom, insight, patience & understanding of their children, the world they are growing up in, and of themselves. Parents are parenting in absentia and leaving the Internet and TV to grow their children up. Why are they so surprised when they turn out the way that they do? I consider myself a liberal conservative Christian which some consider an oxymoron. But if you are like minded, you will know exactly what I mean. For nonChristians or Liberals, this book will only inflame you so pass it up. Feminists should read it but won't get very far because they too will be offended beyond reason. If you are a gay or lesbian, this book will also offend you. But if you are any of the above and have any wisdom to ask the hard questions and be prepared to do what is not easy and not popular, then maybe you can glean something meaningful from this book.

I purchased 4 books for my sons who are fathers. I raised my own children on Dr Dobson and would encourage every young parent to read his books. "Dr. James Dobson is the Founder and President of Family Talk, a nonprofit organization that produces his radio program, “Dr. James Dobson's Family Talk.” He is the author of more than 30 books dedicated to the preservation of the family, including The New Dare to Discipline, Love for a Lifetime, Life on the Edge, Love Must Be Tough, The New Strong-Willed Child, When God Doesn’t Make Sense, Bringing Up Boys, Marriage Under Fire, Bringing Up Girls, Head Over Heels and, most recently, Your Legacy: The Greatest Gift. Dr. Dobson served as an associate clinical professor of pediatrics at the University of Southern California School of Medicine for 14 years and on the attending staff of Children’s Hospital of Los Angeles for 17 years. He has been active in governmental affairs and has advised five U.S. presidents on family matters. He earned his Ph.D. from the University of Southern California (1967) in the field of child development. He holds 17 honorary doctoral degrees, and was inducted in 2008 into The National Radio Hall of Fame. Dr. Dobson recently received the following awards: Winston Churchill Lifetime Achievement Award from the Faith & Freedom Coalition (2017), Daniel Award from AZ Christian University (2016), and the Defender of Life Award from the Justice Foundation (2015). Dr. Dobson is married to Shirley and they have two grown children, Danae and Ryan, and two grandchildren. The Dobsons reside in Colorado Springs, Colorado." James C Dobson Official Bio

What can I say, I should have considered myself warned when I read all the negative reviews from such obvious experts. I have just finished "Dr." Dobson's book and I must say that I am truly concerned that such fanatical banter may only serve to impair the progress of our society. As I stared involuntarily at the pages of the book like a motorist at a particularly horrifying auto accident, I was struck by the archaic and obviously conspiratorially right-wing view point adopted by the author. To think that people actually still hold to such outdated and primitive ideologies such as the importance of a strong family unit and (excuse me while I gag) DISCIPLINE for children!! Do my eyes deceive me?! Is there really someone out there so obviously ignorant that he would actually say out loud (or in print) that I as a parent should take a proactive role in the raising of my son and BE THERE for him!? Not me "Dr." Dobson. I didn't claw my way to the top of the corporate ladder only to let something so insignificant as a mere child stand in my way...no sir. Beware potential reader. Know when you pick up this book that this is an author who still believes marriage vows mean something (can you IMAGINE!!??). This book is not for the weak of stomach. It is hard to keep your breakfast down when you discover that "Dr." Dobson actually believes that there is a difference between right and wrong and that your son ought to be taught what that difference is. I agree with the reviewer: stay away from my domestic organization "Dr." Dobson...we haven't any need of your regressive "family" talk. Give me a break. This book boils down to a question of priority: If your priorities go: 1. God 2. Family 3. everything else...you will likely love this book and anything else by Dr. Dobson. If they go: 1. me (and living the most cosmopolitan life possible) 2. career 3. politics 4. everything else...you probably won't, so don't waste your money...truth isn't worth much where you live.

Dr Dobson has that rare gift of being able to write in a popular, readable way, but without the sort of light fluff that often goes with that. His books have the weight of wisdom and research that is not just looking to support a particular point of view, but seeks to gain true understanding of how life really works. I am working through 'Bringing up Boys' with a men's book group at church. It is useful not just for those who are fathers of boys, but also to help us: - best serve boys in the church; - understand ourselves as men, and the ways we think and behave, particularly considering our own upbringing; and, - better serve the many lost and damaged souls in our wider community. It is very liberating to listen to someone who doesn't just spout the agendas of the day, with the unthinking damage they do. Dr Dobson is bold enough to speak clear sense on issues such as homosexuality, discipline and gender differences.

I was disappointed in the book. 90% of it is anecdotes that relate to kids in general and quotes from other peoples books. The remaining 10% was written for mothers, I suppose because fathers should already know.

einfach lesenswert!!! muß man selber gelesen haben, wenn man Jungs hat, viele gute, nachdenkenswerte Aspekte! habe dieses Buch mit großem Gewinn gelesen, war begeistert! Bin selber Arzt und Psychotherapeut- die medizinischen und psychologischen Aspekte sind absolut zutreffend und akteull, z.B. über das ADHS!!!

Very useful to new parents of boys. Coming from an all girls family I didn’t know the challenges a boy faces during his life much less the challenges he will face in this day and age. I have a 10 month old son and I am praying that I understand him the way he is and not the way the culture or I myself make him to be. I’m sure I’ll be reading this book again and again because of all the information contained in it.

Such a helpful book for those who are raising boys.