On Raising Confident and Healthy Boys
Five quick suggestions for bringing up young men.
Posted September 5, 2019 | Reviewed by Ekua Hagan
Raising boys today is no easy task. When it comes to masculinity, our society still adheres to traditional and antiquated stereotypes. Boys are supposed to be tough, strong, and stoic, as opposed to weak, emotional, or vulnerable.
But in reality, assigning these attributes to a gender is random and dangerous. Ignoring emotions and disavowing vulnerability is extremely problematic. With that said, here are five suggestions for raising healthy and confident boys.
No one ever said that parenting is easy. And, if they did, they don’t have kids. Gender roles and how boys and girls are “supposed to be” can be toxic to a young person’s character development. Helping your kids, regardless of their gender, to accept, manage, and express emotions, and effectively navigate difficult situations will help set them up for success in every realm of life.
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Konstantin Lukin, Ph.D. , is a psychologist in private practice who specializes in helping men and couples achieve their therapeutic goals.
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This article is part of the Bringwise Psychology Journal — daily insights on human behavior, mental health, and personal growth.