Raising Boys to Be Good Men, Aaron Gouveia
Raising Boys to Be Good Men, Aaron Gouveia
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Raising Boys to Be Good Men
A Parent's Guide to Bringing up Happy Sons in a World Filled with Toxic Masculinity

Author: Aaron Gouveia

Narrator: Mike Chamberlain

Unabridged: 5 hr 45 min

Format: Digital Audiobook Download

Publisher: Tantor Media

Published: 04/06/2021


Synopsis

Our boys are in a crisis. Toxic masculinity and tough guy-ism are on display daily from our leaders, and we see anger, dysfunction, violence, and depression in young men who are suffocated by harmful social codes. Our young sons are told to stop throwing like a girl. They hear phrases like "man up" when they cry. They are told "boys will be boys" when they behave badly. The "Girl Power" movement has encouraged women to be whoever and do whatever they want, but that sentiment is not often extended to boys.

But we can treat this problem—and the power lies in the hands of parents. It's not only possible to raise boys who aren't emotionally stifled and shoved into stereotypical gender boxes; it's vital if we want a generation of men who can express their emotions, respect women, and help nurse society back to a halfway healthy place. We can reframe manhood. From Aaron Gouveia, who gained viral fame after tweeting his support for his son's painted fingernails (and who knows toxic masculinity very well), learn practical and actionable tips such as: don't accept different standards for moms and dads; teach boys that "girl" is not an insult and retire phrases like "boys will be boys"; and show boys that expressing their emotions and being physical is a good thing.

About Aaron Gouveia

Aaron Gouveia is a former award-winning journalist who has appeared in TIME, the TODAY Show, Good Morning America, People, Mashable, and USA Today to discuss topics on parenting young boys in the age of toxic masculinity. He started the website The Daddy Files in 2008 to promote involved fatherhood, has contributed to Parents, American Baby, and the Huffington Post, and is a regular speaker at parenting conferences. His content on topics like gun control and abortion have been seen by millions around the world. He resides in Franklin, Massachusetts, with his wife and three sons.


Reviews

Goodreads review by Alyssa on August 12, 2020

This is an amazing book that addresses toxic masculinity and how to approach topics with young boys surrounding not just masculinity but being a good human in a world where men, specifically white males, are steps ahead.......more

Goodreads review by rafa_el_bibliotecario on July 11, 2023

This is a great book for anyone. It is not just focused on raising boys. We are so caught up in ways we're brought up focusing on gender roles. This is a good way for anyone to help break the cycle.......more

Goodreads review by Brandi on June 21, 2020

A well-written, thoughtful parenting guide (and not just for parents of boys). I've been following the author, Aaron, since I stumbled across a post of his blog, "The Daddy Files," when my son was an infant. My son is exactly one day younger than the author's oldest child, so many of the things Aaron......more

Goodreads review by Meghan on January 07, 2025

I found this book very impactful. It stirred feelings I already had and allowed me to take an inward look at what are important (to me) morals and life lessons to pass on to my son. This book is written by a self proclaimed liberal man (i think at one point he said Massachusetts raging liberal lolz)......more

Goodreads review by Matthew on June 23, 2020

Divisive politics. LGBT rights. Bullying. School shootings. Abortion. Gender pay gaps. On the surface, it may not seem like all these issues could share a common thread, but they do. While it manifests in different forms, toxic masculinity is involved in each of the above. Aaron Gouvia does a beautifu......more