DK Raising Boys Who Do Better A Hopeful Guide for a New Generation.

by Uju Asika

"I am so grateful for this book. There is palpable love in it. Love with eyes wide open to the dangers our boys face in today's world, and love leading to a better, kinder place. Uju Asika has done a lot of homework, culturally and historically, and through raising her boys, and I will implement her lessons with my own boys." - Rob Delaney, comedian, actor, writer and Sunday Times bestselling author of A Heart That Works"Uju Asika writes with much empathy and insight about some of the hard conversations we need to have as a society. Her first book Bringing Up Race changed the way I think, act and talk about race. I am sure this book will be just as transformative for countless parents and educators of boys. It's a deeply engaging read that shines with Uju's trademark wit and wisdom." - Julia Samuel, bestselling author, podcaster and award-winning psychotherapist"As a domestic equity advocate, I believe if we want to change the world we need to start at home. Raising Boys Who Do Better is exactly the book I've been looking for as a mother trying to bring up my two boys against the weight of patriarchal conditioning. What I love about Uju's writing is that she doesn't preach or push an agenda, instead she invites us to reframe the way we think about masculinity and how we can ALL do better for our sons and for society at large. A funny, thought-provoking and heart-centred read that I would recommend to anyone, not just parents of boys." - Eve Rodsky, New York Times bestselling author of Fair Play and Find Your Unicorn Space"This is such a wide-ranging, informative and relatable book that really resonated with me. Parenting our sons is often the forgotten part of equality. With an understanding of what it's actually like to bring up a boy in the 21st Century, Uju Asika has brought together research with her own experiences, giving parents some of the prompts and tools we need to raise our sons to do better."- Kirstie Beaven, co-founder and editor-in-chief of Sonshine magazine"Raising Boys Who Do Better is the most wonderful guide to navigating the increasingly complex role of ensuring we raise our boys to be true to themselves, and not let their gender define them. Uju Asika shares honestly and openly as a mother/bonus mother of three boys and writes with an inquisitive mind, which together with her humour, referencing a world of 'farts and manspreading', makes for an easy and page turning read.Given the increasingly worrying rate of suicides amongst young males, I predict this book is going to be a significant and important resource for any parent bringing up sons, and educators dealing with boys, to ensure we all are aware of the part we play in raising them to be contented, confident and considerate men." - Elaine Halligan, parenting coach and author of My Child's Different------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------We need to have a conversation about boys. There has never been a more important time to consider how we are raising the men of the future.This is an invitation for parents of boys, as well as anyone who cares about the young males in their lives. Parents of daughters, aunts, uncles, grandparents, teachers, community leaders; this is a discussion that we all need to participate in.Whether we are expecting a baby boy, parenting young men, or are simply interested in effecting positive change, many of us are asking how we can raise boys who challenge the status quo and are empowered to stand up for what is right. Confronting toxic masculinity and delving into the hot-button issues affecting boys today, from education to sexism, power to consent, Raising Boys Who Do Better looks at bringing up boys in the era of #MeToo and Black Lives Matter.Inside the pages of Raising Boys Who Do Better , you will- Interviews with experts in parenting, gender and psychology.- Practical and applicable tips, journaling prompts, as well as advice for initiating conversations with boys and young men of every age.Offering practical tips, journalling prompts and conversation starters, Uju Asika will include interviews with experts, as well as her own anecdotal experiences as a mother and step-mother. Exploring the relationships between parents and their sons, brothers, friendships and the wider community, this book is an absolute must-read for those who want to help nurture the boys in their lives to grow up into compassionate, kind, healthy and successful men.

Genres: Parenting, Nonfiction

288 pages, Hardcover

Published June 1, 2023

Reviews

[Esme Kemp · Rating 5 out of 5]

Gorgeous, hopeful, reassuring and FUNNY. I used to be absolutely terrified at the thought of raising a boy and now I think ok it’s not impossible, I got this.

Also best line I’ve read in a book in ages “you’re not a Crip Jed, you’re literally a Year Six child.”

[Andria · Rating 2 out of 5]

This could have been an email

[Amy · Rating 5 out of 5]

As a mummy of two very small boys, I am so aware of the need to pursue equality; a move away from macho masculinity and the pressures it puts on men in addition to the “silencing” of women and the societal expectations of the genders.
This book is accessible, and written by a mum of boys who is invested in changing the future for our young people, irrespective of their gender.
She writes so animatedly and shares personal thoughts and suggestions. Her tone is lighthearted but carries weight and she finds the humour in the right moments.

Each chapter is shaped to offer guidance and insights from an array of contributors at precise stages of development of the brains of young boys and men. Each chapter culminates in a series of thought provoking questions to share with young people and possible action points to set wheels in motion.

I borrowed this from the library, and will be buying a copy to have as a permanent source of reference on my own shelf.
I am blown away by her work and want to share this with as many people as possible.

[Scarlet · Rating 2 out of 5]

This book was okay. The author pushes some thoughts and political agendas that challenge my traditional values and ways of thinking. The content and messages have a feminist and #blm bias. The research behind statistics presented were valid though many oppositional counter points and statistics to her opinions could have been provided as well as the statistics that support her own points. Her voice is clear in this book and I very much respect it. I did appreciate the critical thinking I was pushed to engage with in regards to questioning what kind of boy I want to raise into a man and made me consider many things I’d like to implement early to lay a solid foundation for my own son as he grows. A lot of the content from this book will lay in the back burner of my mind. I ended up having a very, “take what resonates and leave what doesn’t” mindset while reading. Overall not very powerful or highly impactful but a great resource and tool to get the gears turning on your parenting and being a better parent for sons.

[Kirsty · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5⭐️ (poss 5⭐️ once I complete the exercises so have marked it up).
I loved this book and have demanded my husband reads it too. Its one of the few parenting books I've read that doesn't come across as judgemental.
I read it through without doing the exercises so I'll definitely be reading this again and completing those.
My child is only 3 and this book covers so many topics that I thought may not be relevant yet. However there is definitely a lesson to take away from each section, be that for now or as food for thought as he grows.

[Sarah · Rating 5 out of 5]

I already know I'll read this again and again.