When you look at the little boys or young men in your family and community, do you ever think about the opportunity they will face to build a better world for both men and women? Do you think about their potential to build a new kind of strong, healthy manhood that will allow them to respect themselves and others, treat women as equals and stand up against violence and injustice?

 

This week’s Mom Enough guests, Ted Bunch and Anna Marie Johnson Teague, are devoting their lives to this effort through their work with A Call to Men and an innovative new book for boys, The Book of Dares: 100 Ways for Boys to Be Kind, Bold and Brave. When Marti & Erin ask the guests why they focus specifically on boys, they describe the limitations that have been put on boys, and they note the fact that males die earlier and perpetrate most of the violence. As they say, “The liberation of men will be the liberation of women.” As parents, we need to start early in raising boys to a healthy manhood. So, whether you have a toddler or a teen, tune into this inspiring conversation and focus on the steps you can take to support your son in becoming the respectful, authentic, emotionally engaged man he can be.

 

WHAT DID YOU LEARN ABOUT RAISING BOYS WHO EMBRACE HEALTHY MANHOOD?

This week’s Mom Enough guests note that boys learn early on to be in the “Man Box.” What does that mean? And how can we invite the boys in our life, at any age, to step out of that box? Using the ideas of The Book of Dares, think of two or three dares you could pose to your son that would encourage him to think in new ways about how both boys and girls benefit when boys step out of the “Man Box.”

 

 WANT TO LEARN MORE ABOUT RAISING HEALTHY BOYS?

❉ A CALL TO MEN. This organization works to promote healthy, respectful manhood by offering trainings and educational resources to organizations, such as schools, businesses, and community organizations.

 

❉ HOW TO RAISE A BOY: A CONVERSATION ABOUT THE POWER OF CONNECTION TO BUILD GOOD MEN. Dr. Michael Reichert offers practical guidance whether you are the parent of a lively preschooler, a 5th-grader trying to succeed in school or a teenager trying to navigate the turbulent waters of romance and sexuality or grappling with disturbing pornographic images on the internet.