The Feminization of School

boy with raised hand in classromm

I’ve been saving up some articles over the summer to share with you. One bothered me so much that I have been thinking about it for some time. Years ago, our son and I were in a community theater production of Oliver Twist. It was before we discovered his voice – the voice which allowed … Read more

Gun Culture

boy with toy pistol

I grew up in a rural area and most people I know own guns. I myself own them, including a small rifle which we use to deal with rabid animals. This gun is not an automatic, it requires cocking each time you want to shoot, making accidental firing almost impossible. The other gun we have is an air rifle … Read more

WHO’s happier?

peanuts cartoon panel

Last year the World Health Organization released a study of the health and happiness of European adolescents. You can find the study entitled Growing Up Unequal by clicking this link. In essence, the report found that boys reported that they had greater life satisfaction than did girls, but noted that boys were more likely to be … Read more

“Teen brain”

spock vs kirk brain image

Parent – “Why did you do that, you knew that was not allowed!” Child – “I don’t know why, it just seemed like the thing to do at the time.” The one gender difference in brain development that most scientists agree on is that the prefrontal lobe, the part of our brain called the executive decision … Read more

Boys and self control

impulsive behavior image

One of the points that I have been making recently is that punishment doesn’t work for boys. OK, it may make sure that the boy does not do that particular thing again, but it doesn’t change over-all behavior. He’ll just find another way to engage with the world. Years ago, Jean Kerr, the wife of … Read more

Determination

boy competing in lego league

Some years ago, someone asked how hard it was for me to go back to graduate school at age 50. “Didn’t I find it difficult working with all of the smart younger students and didn’t I find it hard to keep up with them?” Actually, no. I found my doctoral program much easier to complete … Read more

Emotions and Boys

sad boy with skateboard image

When I talk to parents about the differences between boys and girls, it is easy to tell who has only daughters. Those parents are usually visibly shocked when I mention that boys are at least as emotional as girls and possibly more. The stereotype is that girls are more emotional than boys, but those of … Read more

“I’m TIRED!”

What does your child do all day in school? I’m a teacher, I visit schools all over the world, and what I almost always see is children sitting at desks for at least 30 to 45 minutes at a time. How long can you sit still? I’m typing this and I’m gently moving a bit … Read more

Who’s in charge here?

Several years ago, Ann-Marie Slaughter wrote an article for The Atlantic magazine entitled Why Women Still Can’t Have it All . She tells the story of what happened after she became the first woman director of policy planning at the State Department. She “had it all” as the saying goes. She was happily married, the mother … Read more