Boys Adrift: The Five Factors Driving the Growing Epidemic of Unmotivated Boys and Underachieving Young Men

by Leonard Sax

Overview

Something scary is happening to boys today. From kindergarten to college, American boys are, on average, less resilient and less ambitious than they were a mere twenty years ago. The gender gap in college attendance and graduation rates has widened dramatically. While Emily is working hard at school and getting A’s, her brother Justin is goofing off. He’s more concerned about getting to the next level in his videogame than about finishing his homework. Now, Dr. Leonard Sax delves into the scientific literature and draws on more than twenty years of clinical experience to explain why boys and young men are failing in school and disengaged at home. He shows how social, cultural, and biological factors have created an environment that is literally toxic to boys. He also presents practical solutions, sharing strategies which educators have found effective in re-engaging these boys at school, as well as handy tips for parents about everything from homework, to videogames, to medication.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780465072101
Publisher:	Basic Books
Publication date:	01/05/2009
Edition description:	New Edition
Pages:	288
Product dimensions:	5.30(w) x 7.90(h) x 0.80(d)

About the Author

Leonard Sax, M.D., Ph.D., is founder and executive director of the National Association for Single Sex Public Education (NASSPE). His scholarly work has been published in a variety of prestigious journals, including American Psychologist, Educational Horizons, Behavioral Neuroscience, and the Journal of the American Medical Association. He has been a featured guest on CNN, PBS, “The Today Show,” “Fox News,” NPR’s “Talk of the Nation,” and many other national programs. He lives with his wife and daughter in suburban Philadelphia.

Table of Contents

A Word of Caution ix

Chapter 1 The Riddle 1

Chapter 2 The First Factor: Changes at School 17

Chapter 3 The Second Factor: Video Games 71

Chapter 4 The Third Factor: Medications for ADHD 103

Chapter 5 The Fourth Factor: Endocrine Disruptors 127

Chapter 6 End Result: Failure to Launch 151

Chapter 7 The Fifth Factor: The Revenge of the Forsaken Gods 201

Chapter 8 Detox 227

Acknowledgments 275

Notes 279

Index 333

Editorial Reviews

"Boys Adrift is a must-read for any parent of boys. This is real science, and Dr. Sax thoroughly uncovers the important health issues that parents of boys need to be tuned into."—Dr. Mehmet Oz

"Excellent and informative references and information are provided . . . Powerfully and persuasively presented."—The Journal of the American Medical Association

"Fascinating...terrifying...Sax identifies an epidemic of lost boys. Luckily, he offers solutions."—Glob and Mail (Canada)

"Sax, in his pointed, conversational new book, Boys Adrift, reports seeing something new in his medical practice, and hearing something disturbing in the comments after his talks around the nation. Parents and girlfriends describe boys and young men plastered to the controls of their video games, hostile to school, disconnected from adult men and listless on "academic steroids" prescribed to them for attention deficit disorders. Sax zeroes in on these maladies . . .Boys Adrift is an important entry into the conversation. This call to reconsider how the boy becomes the man is worth heeding."—The Cleveland Plain Dealer

"Boys Adrift presents a straightforward argument that incorporates solid research and, thankfully, does not blame feminism. . . Sax also makes sure to remind us that he doesn't think girls have it easier. But at a time when it is almost unusual to find a young man with drive and direction, Sax's work is an important part of a growing public discussion. "—The Stranger

"Sax's discussion of a "failure to launch" will ring true for many parents and other concerned adults, and his final chapter on detoxing the modern environment for boys and girls should provoke both thought and action. Though Sax's book is written in a conversational tone, his documentation is thorough and impressive. This is an important book, especially for parents and educators, but for anyone who is concerned with the well-being of our society and its young people. "—The Daily Herald

"Startling...like a brick thrown through your window."—CBC

From the Publisher

Many boys today take at least one psychiatric medication. Dr. Sax addresses this issue and many others relating to how children's environments affect their maturation. Narrator Malcolm Hillgartner manages to sound like a doctor. His strong, masculine voice gives out lots of advice about attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), video games, neural development, and environmental estrogens. He successfully plays the role of a family physician and trained psychologist speaking to concerned parents. During clinical interviews, Hillgartner changes his voice ever so slightly to differentiate between the players, but without ever approaching theatrics. After listening to this production, anyone of any background will feel more informed about what's happening to modern children growing up in an age of violence, drugs, and body piercings. J.A.H. © AudioFile 2008, Portland, Maine

NOVEMBER 2008 - AudioFile