Raising Boys by Steve Biddulph

By Cate Gardner View Profile
I found this book really useful and illuminating, being the mother of two grown-up daughters and one fifteen-year-old-son. As an only child myself, married to a man who was an only son, neither of us had gathered any useful information from extended families. I grew up when feminism was at its height and girls were actively encouraged to 'Go for it' both in education and the workplace and after reading this book it seems clear to me at least that somewhere along the line, boys unfortunately seem to have been forgotten. This book throws new light on what makes boys tick, the three stages of boyhood, how their brains differ from girls' and what happens when testosterone hits them.

The book covers the essential part that fathers play and what to do if you are a single mum, but I can see it perhaps causing waves with the suggestion that ADD (Attention Deficit Disorder) might be more aptly named DDD (Dad Deficit Disorder). This at first appears on page 18 to be quite flippant, but perseverance with the book does offer explanation and how to cope with this. The author's intention is that the book be read in one or two sittings and it is eminently readable. There's no overpowering emphasis on statistics and reports, just down to earth good sense. In fact you find yourself agreeing so readily that it often appears the book is just re-awakening instinctive reactions to the task of bringing up boys.