In Rescuing our Sons from the Myths of Boyhood, Pollack lists ideas for parents and what they can do to help their sons overcome conventional pressures from society. Giving sons their undivided attention is to help the son realize that his parents are there for him and that they care about him. Encouraging the expression of a full range of emotions can show a son that it is okay to not always be cheerful, and that his parents empathize and understand with how he is feeling. Parents can also not tease or taunt when their son expresses vulnerable feelings, helping him learn to express and cope with a broad range of feelings. To not use shaming language and use a way to talk to their sons in a way in which they can respond to. It has been shown …show more content…
I appreciated how there were different examples with how parents can connect with their sons on a deeper and more personal level, which can benefit their son throughout his life. Showing their sons that they do not have to fit into this gender box given to them by society. Allowing them to be who they wish to be. Pollack definitely reiterated how parents should allow their sons to be able to express themselves and feel comfortable doing it. I also found it interesting with the statement that parents use shaming language more with boys more than girls, and sadly, I do believe it. Thinking about daily experiences, such as walking past the bus stop, I hear a lot more parents telling their sons “big boys don’t cry” or “you’re fine, stop crying.” However, when their daughter is crying, they tend to hold her and tell her that it is all going to be okay. Granted, not all parents do this. The comparison of a man and a “sturdy oak” was also very interesting. This comparison teaches boys that they need to be this strong, tall, tough man that will not fall down no matter what happens to them. Except, this idea that no man falters, is a false idea that our society has created. Boys need to learn that it is okay to feel down sometimes and feel comfortable expressing those feelings. Parents, and society as a whole, needs to work on creating a more accepting and inclusive idea of what it means to be a “real