Bringing Up Boys: Practical Advice and Encouragement for Those Shaping the Next Generation of Men Hardcover – October 1, 2001

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.

A great read! Not only helps me as a boy mom but also as a wife.

Good help to parents who have 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 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

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.

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.

As a mother of a boy who didn't have any brothers, I've always worried that I didn't know what I was doing with my son. This book gives good practical advice about essential aspects in raising boys and reassurance in basic parenting. It will cause some controversy in the chapter on homosexuality, but gives a clear biblical perspective on the issue. Amazon's price was hard to beat, and they delivered the book very quickly in excellent condition.

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.

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!!!