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) raising 3 boys alongside his wife. I also consider myself liberal, so naturally my morals seem to align well with the author’s. If this is not you, I still think this would be a good book that will get the wheels turning. If you are not a parent but are maybe a cool auntie or uncle, you could benefit from this book. If you have young children in your life, you could benefit from this book. It’s so easy to say something seemingly innocent without realizing the harm it could potentially be doing, even unintentionally.
I also appreciate the author being vulnerable and admitting when he had fed into toxic masculinity in the past. You can tell this is a parenting team trying to raise their 3 boys to be good, kind, considerate humans.
I don’t necessarily think this book is revolutionary since it’s basic principles such as kindness but it felt very validating and dare I healing (listened to the audiobook so the messages spoken and read aloud by a man were *chefs kiss*). Sometimes I read a parenting/self help book about “the liberal agenda” (queue spooky music) and feel like these lessons (consent, kindness, speaking up for whats right, being authenticity and unapologetically yourself, etc) should be the baseline. Absolutely should be. Maybe it should also be parents and adults trying to break generational trauma and adverse childhood experiences. This book, and the content in it, elevates the baseline. Taking it to the next level. Raising the bar. We always want what’s best for our children. It feels very validating having this book in my toolbox.
Also adding my 80% goodreads update because i binged the last 20% at midnight last night, or was it 1 AM? :
Seemingly common sense lessons somehow further broken down for an even deeper understanding of mental health, boundaries, bullying, privilege, society, sex, bodily autonomy, consent, gender biases, systemic racism, political correctness, and more. Lots of insight into raising boys but would be impactful for of boys and girls. Considering gifting this to every man over 50 in my life with zero context.
*sigh* I think this is all but will update accordingly. This book got my brain going. Rereading this review. Lots of racing thoughts and ramblings. Oh well. I liked this book. 😬