An Article For Those With Young Boys

[shanstress70]

This is a somewhat long article, but very interesting to me and something that I've been thinking a lot about lately. Would anyone be interested in reading and discussing it?

[shanstress70]

I have been bothered lately by what I see on the TV shows that my child likes to watch most. It seems the trend for children's shows is to favor girls, making them look strongest and smartest. Also, I have noticed that white boys are now the token character. There are lots of girls and multi-cultural characters. I wonder if this will cause my son to have self-image problems.

I am glad for the strides that have been made as far as women are concerned... very glad. But I think that maybe the pendulum is swinging too far away from boys.

I also notice this on regular adult TV. The wife is the smart, strong one, and the husband is the stupid lazy guy in the recliner. His kids are showing him how to fix the computer, etc.

Anyway, this article focuses on education and the differences in learning styles of boys and girls. As a mother who has a son two years away from school age, I wonder what the solution to this is. I lean toward segregation of boys and girls, at least for certain classes when the difference in learning style is greatest.

[Guest Syble]

I am very interested in discussing this with you~ but I have no time right now.

[Maureen]

...Also, I have noticed that white boys are now the token character. There are lots of girls and multi-cultural characters. I wonder if this will cause my son to have self-image problems.

I think children, especially elementary school age are more influenced by their parents and family. If you instill in your son a good self-image now then that gets carried over into his social world of friends and school.

I also notice this on regular adult TV. The wife is the smart, strong one, and the husband is the stupid lazy guy in the recliner. His kids are showing him how to fix the computer, etc.

I've noticed that too. Although one show that is more fair than others is My Wife and Kids with Damon Wayans. He at least is not portrayed as the idiot dad.

M.

[mom_of_jcchlsm]

I, too, want to discuss, but have time constraints. Maye we could set up a chat appointment? Weekdays during the morning (9 to noon Central) would work best for me, I have three sons - one in 5th grade and two pre-school. Hot topic!

[shanstress70]

I'm actually not able to chat at that time, due to the fact that I work. I have better luck with message board format discussion, since I can pop in when I'm slow at work.

But if you guys want to, feel free. Just report back to this thread, as I'm interested in what you guys think.

[Guest Syble]

I may be way off here, but what my obsevation has been is boys, at about the age of 13 begin to find school tedious.

I believe this is the age where they need to start gettting teachers who are far reaching, activities oriented. The Boys Town idea or Boys Ranch idea comes to mind.

I have had all of my boys turn at the age of 13 into a lazy student. They were really good up until then. They were in plays, science clubs, happy go-lucky-loving school kind of kids, but when they hit junior high it all went south.

If Junior High is the problem, I would love to tell the schools how to get back on track with the kids, but instead I ended up doing home school to prevent a total loss. By the time they graduated (three out of the five so far, I still have one left in high school electronically and one in Junior High home schooled) They were ahead of those in public schools already through a year of college.

I don't think it is so much the kids, as the system they are in when they go to Junior High. It is brutal and demasculining.

My girls, on the other hand, didn't do all that well in elementary school but blossomed and really shone in Junior High and High School and I only had to home school them during their elementary years.

[shanstress70]

I may be way off here, but what my obsevation has been is boys, at about the age of 13 begin to find school tedious.

I believe this is the age where they need to start gettting teachers who are far reaching, activities oriented. The Boys Town idea or Boys Ranch idea comes to mind.

I have had all of my boys turn at the age of 13 into a lazy student. They were really good up until then. They were in plays, science clubs, happy go-lucky-loving school kind of kids, but when they hit junior high it all went south.

If Junior High is the problem, I would love to tell the schools how to get back on track with the kids, but instead I ended up doing home school to prevent a total loss. By the time they graduated (three out of the five so far, I still have one left in high school electronically and one in Junior High home schooled) They were ahead of those in public schools already through a year of college.

I don't think it is so much the kids, as the system they are in when they go to Junior High. It is brutal and demasculining.

My girls, on the other hand, didn't do all that well in elementary school but blossomed and really shone in Junior High and High School and I only had to home school them during their elementary years.

It's nice to have input from someone who's 'been there, done that''. I can totally see what you're saying as true. I remember back to my own school experience, and I can see that boys were never 'into' school beginning around that age (13).

I'm not into homeschooling, although I don't think it's a bad idea if you feel you are good at it and enjoy it. But I do wish there was something like a home-school coop, where a group of 5 or so kids got together, with each parent taking a day a week, to teach a subject they enjoy and are most knowledgeable in. Surely such an idea exists.

[Guest Syble]

<div class='quotemain'>

I may be way off here, but what my obsevation has been is boys, at about the age of 13 begin to find school tedious.

I believe this is the age where they need to start gettting teachers who are far reaching, activities oriented. The Boys Town idea or Boys Ranch idea comes to mind.

I have had all of my boys turn at the age of 13 into a lazy student. They were really good up until then. They were in plays, science clubs, happy go-lucky-loving school kind of kids, but when they hit junior high it all went south.

If Junior High is the problem, I would love to tell the schools how to get back on track with the kids, but instead I ended up doing home school to prevent a total loss. By the time they graduated (three out of the five so far, I still have one left in high school electronically and one in Junior High home schooled) They were ahead of those in public schools already through a year of college.

I don't think it is so much the kids, as the system they are in when they go to Junior High. It is brutal and demasculining.

My girls, on the other hand, didn't do all that well in elementary school but blossomed and really shone in Junior High and High School and I only had to home school them during their elementary years.

It's nice to have input from someone who's 'been there, done that''. I can totally see what you're saying as true. I remember back to my own school experience, and I can see that boys were never 'into' school beginning around that age (13).

I'm not into homeschooling, although I don't think it's a bad idea if you feel you are good at it and enjoy it. But I do wish there was something like a home-school coop, where a group of 5 or so kids got together, with each parent taking a day a week, to teach a subject they enjoy and are most knowledgeable in. Surely such an idea exists.

There is an organization, probably a good one wherever you live. Try and look up Home schooling groups on google and see what you get. I was one who wanted to do things my way and so took the more isolated way. I had my kids take some classes at schools like drivers-ed and computer skills building and then church filled in most all the other activies for the kids.

But they do have USA wide organization and you can build your own groups. They have conventions where materials and information are shared going around the country as well.

I first started with ABECKA Books inc. they could probably give you some information, or I could look it up.

Here is one:

Home Schooling Association

[shanstress70]

I will check all that out... Thanks!

[Guest Syble]

I added a google link I will do it again here:

Home Schooling Association

[Fiannan]

Speaking of boys being left out:

http://www.usatoday.com/life/television/ne...-the-pooh_x.htm

[shanstress70]

That is insane! I could see if they introduced a girl into the mix, but to REPLACE Christopher Robin? WTH?

[Outshined]

That is insane! I could see if they introduced a girl into the mix, but to REPLACE Christopher Robin? WTH?

Blasphemy!!