Real Boys' Voices: Boys Speak out about Drugs, Sex, Violence, Bullying, Sports, Girls, School, Parents, and So Much More

by William S. Pollack, Todd Shuster

What real boys have to say : "A lot of people use words like 'psycho' or 'wacko' to refer to people who are feeling glum or think they might want to take their own life. I think these sorts of slang terms create further isolation in a teen, and that's not what you want to do to a teen who already feels alone" —Alexander, 18, from a small town in the South "A guy is supposed to be strong, tall, and fast and have the qualities of an ideal athlete. At the same time he's supposed to be smart. He's expected to be nearly perfect." —Chandler, 14, from a suburb in the Northwest "What I hate about this school is that I am being picked on in the halls and just about everywhere else." —Cody, 14, from a suburb in New England In Real Boys , Dr. William Pollack explored the issues that most boys in our nation face today. In this fascinating follow-up bestseller, Pollack goes right to the boys ages 10 to 20-evoking the secret struggles and passions of America's adolescent males in their own words. Their voices are searingly honest and eager to be heard, revealing how society's outdated expectations force them to mask their feelings of isolation, depression, longing, love, and hope. We hear from boys and young men in big cities and small towns-including survivors of the Columbine High School massacre-who share compelling, extrordinarily candid stories about bullying, drugs, sports, school, parents, sex, love, and much more. Pollack also offers ways to start a dialog and illustrates through templates what to do in many situations. This is an eye-opening book for teenage boys and girls, but-with its insights and strategies for dealing with their issues-especially invaluable for all the people in their lives.

Genres: Nonfiction, Education, Psychology, Parenting

432 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2000

Reviews

[Farah]

my fave one was "dealing with loss, loneliness, and shame" gonna snatch this book from my friend hahah mine IT'S MINE!
"If you're just nice, it will come to you" ok i'll be nice and this book will be mine soooon

[Billy Jack Blankenship]

A great follow up to Real Boys...

[Diana DeRosado]

Highly recommend this to parents of boys

[Elizabeth]

good condition

[Frederick Bingham]

Interviews with boys and discussions of their lives. Some good parts, but I skimmed most of it.