waste of money

If you really want to see results, check out "Hold on to your kids" by G. Neufeld instead. You will understand the reasons WHY your kids are acting out and HOW you can restore the balance in your family life. Also helpful is "Unconditional Parenting" by A. Kohn.

Parenting the Masculine Soul

In "Bringing Up Boys," noted psychologist, author, consultant to presidents, and Focus on the Family founder Dr. James Dobson offers practical scriptural advice for raising the next generation of boys. His core premise is biblically sound and psychologically accurate: boys and girls are different! In light of the nature of the masculine soul, Dobson suggests specific strategies for parenting boys that will help them to mature into healthy adult masculinity.

Despite the furor, negative reviews, and alarmist words of warning (by "professional" reviewers/librarians who act more like book-burners and the PC police with an agenda than like objective reviewers), "Bringing Up Boys" simply celebrates the inherent differences between boys and girls and how to parent them accordingly. Having enjoyed parenting one son (now 21) and one daughter (now 17), having studied the biblical teaching and psychological research on gender, having counseled hundreds of families, and having trained literally thousands of parents, I highly recommend "Bringing Up Boys" as a 21st-century parenting manual. Also having examined the history of gender-understanding, you can be assured that Dobson's work stands in a long and time-honored tradition of enjoying the differences between boys and girls and parenting accordingly.

Reviewer: Robert W. Kellemen, Ph.D., is the author of "Soul Physicians" and "Spiritual Friends." He is also a licensed clinical professional counselor and a graduate school professor.

Great Book- Harsh reviews are sad reflection on our society

I am deeply saddened by the harsh, negative reviews of this book. Why such dripping, bitter contempt for a masculine, male role model? For years feminists (and yes, I am a woman) have undermined and devalued the role of men in society. I think we can all see where that has gotten us. Look at the effects of the millions of fatherless boys. It's an epidemic. And if you refute that fact, you are only fooling yourself. Children desperately need both parents...yes, even a father. Can single parents raise healthy happy children? Of course they can. But the ideal is to have a mother and a father under one roof, raising their children together.

Our society has tried so hard over the past 3 decades to take the male nature out of our boys. Why? What is wrong with the male nature? Boys ARE different than girls. What's wrong with that? Isn't it the differences in a man and a woman that makes a marriage a union...complete! And don't you think father's play a vital role in raising their sons?

I thought this was a very strong, thought provoking book. I love the fact that Dr. Dobson pulls no punches. He does worry about offending people, but he feels the message in this book is crucial. And I agree.

And in response to the bitterly harsh reviewer that said Dr. Dobson fondly remembered the days when his father and he kicked each others shins really hard over and over...all I can say is that is NOT how he actually described the event in his book. And a boy (who feels loved and safe with his father) wrestling with his father is an incredible bonding experience. I saw it with my father and brother and I see it with my nephew and his dad (my son is only 10 months old). Many women can not understand this. We're not built the same way. But I know it is a love expression between a father and a son. It's in their makeup. It's part of who they are.

This book is great for both fathers and mothers. It helps moms understand their boy's needs and it helps dads understand how important their role is in their son's life.

Thank you Dr. Dobson for speaking your conviction, not merely trying to please any and everybody just to sell a book.