On our bookshelf

August 27, 2008 | Print

Raising Cain: Exploring the Inner Lives of America’s Boys with Michael Thompson

Highlights: In 2005, child psychologist Michael Thompson, Ph.D., co-author of Raising Cain: Protecting the Emotional Life of Boys, created Raising Cain: Exploring the Inner Lives of America’s Boys for PBS. The two hour documentary (available at Netflix) depicts society’s tendency to miscast boys with labels of insensitive, hyper-active or violent, and explains how we can better support and understand them.

Thompson interviews teachers, parents, experts and boys about their creativity, desires, fears and need for male role models. They discuss the emotional development of infant boys and girls, preschoolers’ imaginations, and the tendency of some schools to favor girls’ learning styles. Thompson then meets with two different groups of teens, from the inner city and a middle-class suburb, and explores their struggles and successes.

Lowlights: A few times, the honesty of the portrayals can feel uncomfortable, but Thompson’s approach keeps us thinking and engaged.

Why we like it: Terrific insights into boys’ inner lives. Thompson gives us a context for our sons’ behavior and emotions. We understand better what’s important to them, potential school challenges and opportunities, and the significance of our connecting with them and supporting their interests. Informative for parents of girls as well, especially the discussions of development and gender differences.

Child’s age: Birth through adolescence.

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