What Boys Need From Their Parents and Teachers

According to the current state of affairs for men and boys, "the outlook is bleak and our boys are in crisis". Dr. Drew Brennan, the Head of School at The Academy at Trails Carolina, discussed the crisis' our boys are facing in today's world with Lon Woodbury on today's LA Talk Radio Show- Parent Choices for Struggling Teens. In addition to the economic predicament, and the loss of employment for men, boys in elementary school and high school are not faring well. High school dropout rates for males are increasing and the pursuit of graduate and doctorate degrees is in a decline.

Add to that, the disappearance of fathers in a young boy's life due to divorce, or being raised by a single parent, there is an absence of male role models in the home. Dr. Drew also added "there are a rising number of males with computer addiction, and the use of Face Book for these young men who are already feeling vulnerable and needy, drives them to further alienation, and the greater need to hide their vulnerability."

"In our fast paced world, especially with both parents working and the coming and goings of everyday life, it's harder to connect and listen to our children and the size of our schools nowadays are not healthy- our kids are getting lost in the numbers. Parents need to build the opportunity to spend 'unstructured' time with their children. It is also important for our kids to be involved in sports and outdoor adventures, to learn sportsmanship, communication and team building within that kind of community." Unfortunately we have lost those ancient rituals of 'Rites of Passage' that young men went through at puberty, but it is important for our young men (boys) to come together with men, to celebrate and acknowledge the brotherhood of men, in both their fierceness and their lovingness. To sum it up, Dr. Drew put it quit simply: To tell the truth of one's life."

When asked what parents and teachers can do to help our boys, Dr. Drew feels that if possible, volunteer in your child's school or class, become a mentor and especially for boys- read to our children. Parents need to give their children chances to fail and 'not rescue them', learn to say no to their child and learn to use and navigate the computer.

To listen to the full interview go to What Boys Need From Their Parents and Teachers Today on LATalkRadio.
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Lon Woodbury is the owner/founder of Woodbury Reports Inc. and www.strugglingteens.com. He has worked with families and struggling teens since 1984 and is the host of Parent Choices for Struggling Teens on LATalkRadio Mondays at 12:00pm, Pacific Time, Channel One.

Dr. Drew Brennan, PhD is the Head of School at Trails Carolina, with graduate degrees in Experiential Education and Counseling Psychology and a PhD in Education. He has enjoyed his professional opportunities as a tenure track college professor, a therapist in wilderness therapy contexts and emotional growth schools, an outward bound instructor and a volunteer with Journeymen of Asheville and the Mankind Project.

This segment was sponsored by Spring Ridge Academy, 928-632-4602, www.springridgeacademy.com, a Therapeutic Boarding School for Girls in Arizona.