Product Description

What's happening to boys? At home, they sprawl before a flickering screen, lost in a solitary, sedentary fantasy world; at school, the choice of role seems limited to nerd or thug, bullied or bullying. By the time they reach their teens, the chances of depression, self-harm, drug or alcohol abuse grow each year. In such an environment, raising boys has never been more diffcult. For the sake of their sons, parents need to know the facts about how boys develop and how best to protect them from the damaging effects of modern life. For the sake of our future, we all need to recognise the problems of 21st century boys, and to support parents in stemming thhe growing tide of detachment and disaffection. In this hugely important book, Sue Palmer assesses the issues currently confronting boys from birth to when they leave school, and explains how we can all help to ensure they emerge as healthy, normal adults. Based on the latest research from around the world, 21st Century Boys provides parents, teachers and others with a clear pathway to bringing up boys.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #14517 in Books
• Published on: 2009-05-21
• Original language: English
• Binding: Paperback
• 352 pages

Review
'Palmer, who sparked a media storm with her first book, Toxic Childhood examines the issues that confront 21st-century boys from birth to the end of school in the light of the most up-to-date research and explains what we can all do to help ensure they emerge as healthy, normal adults. Behind the screaming headlines, she talks a lot of sense' (THE BOOKSELLER )

'In a hugely informative and interesting book packed with readable research, Palmer suggests how we can raise balanced, bright boys. Each chapter ends with practical suggestions for how this might be achieved; parents are told how to rebuff demands for bedrooms TVs ("I love you too much"); and politicians to stop their marketing to under-eights' (SCOTLAND ON SUNDAY )

'It's a very well researched book with plenty of pretty inarguable evidence. From a secondary teacher's point of view it will help you to understand why your boys are as they are. And understanding a problem is half way to solving it. The ever-practical Ms Palmer provides pages of "what we can do" suggestions at the end of each chapter, including specific ideas for teachers' (SEC ED (The Voice for Secondary Education) )

'Palmer (who has) more than 30 years' teaching experience under her belt, is a woman on a mission. author of the well-received Toxic Childhood, a comprehensive examination of the impact of pressures on modern children such as rising childhood obesity figures and violent computer games, the writer has now turned her attention to the world of little boys' (THE SCOTSMAN )

'Are junk food, lack of sleep, computer games, the internet and the frantic pace of 21st century life breeding damaged, unhappy adolescents? And why are boys so particularly affected? The author analyses the issues facing our young men and suggests what we can do to reclaim our boys' stability, well-being and future' (Shari Low DAILY RECORD )

'This book is a detailed analysis of the world our boys are growing up in and how it's affecting them...She uses the latest research from around the world as well as her own experience as an educator to assess the issues confronting boys, from birth to when they leave school' (JUNO )

'I am a great fan of literacy expert Sue Palmer...We would live in a far better society if everyone who has any responsibility for raising and educating boys were to read it [21st Century Boys] - and then take action' (HILARY WILCE BLOG )

'Mothers' Union is campaigning nationally to limit the commercialisation of childhood, to help make childhood last longer! But as Sue Palmer says, it will be the small actions of parents and other responsible adults who will make the greatest difference, enabling the next generation of young men to grow up bright, balanced, resilient and ready for the challenges of the 21st century' (FAMILIES FIRST (Mothers' Union) )

'Based on the latest research from around the world, 21st Century Boys provides parents and teachers with a clear pathway to bringing up boys' (GREEN PARENT )

'It has invaluable advice on opening up conversations about school or anything else, and helping children talk through problems' (SAINSBURY )

'An interesting read' (NURSERY WORLD )

'Practical advice for parents is evident in each chapter and offered in a very non-patronizing "common sense" style. There are amusing and very realistic case studies and helpful chapter summaries, whic allow the reader to recap, think, dwell and reflect. A great read for anyone and everyone' (EYE (EARLY YEARS EDUCATOR) )

'Well written book and easy-to-read chapter summaries. Extensive notes, references, email addresses and websites to find out more' (Reader's Review CHILDMINDING )

About the Author
Sue Palmer is a writer, broadcaster and consultant on the education of young children. A former head teacher, she lectures widely around the world, and is an independent adviser to many organisations, including the BBC and the DfES.

Customer Reviews

Good Old Fashioned Values
For anyone who's read around current child development and parenting there'll be nothing startling in Sue Palmer's look at boys but what she has here is a good overview of what is happening and how we might be able to change some of the negative effects on boys in the 21st century.

Palmer's fixes include warm and firm parenting in the first 3 years with little or no childcare. No formal learning before the age of 7 with an emphasis on free play in kindergartens instead. No tv in the first 3 years with limited screen time after that and a tightening up on the marketing to children through all forms of media. Good mentoring in the teenage years from strong male figures. Ready access to outdoor physical activity for boys of all ages.

Like Biddolph's Raising Boys she sees the key influences on boys early years as being the mother, with fathers and then other male role models taking over in later childhood and then teens. This isn't to negate the place of either parent at any stage though but working with the natural inclinations of boys.

As a feminist I'd say she's harsh at times on feminists but over all her suggestions and research is what many would describe as good old common sense.

I'd like to send this book to all policy makers and politicians in the hope that some changes can happen.

21 st Century Boys
21st Century Boys: How Modern Life is driving them off the rails and how we can get them back on track
This book is a must for parents/teachers/politicians and for anyone concerned with the outcomes for our youngsters.