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The Boy Crisis: Why Our Boys Are Struggling and What We Can Do about It by Warren Farrell, John Gray
joe8506's review against another edition
3.0
A wonderful start to the book. Dr Warren Farrell has some important commentary on the state of things affecting boys and men that need to be shared. Often this side of the narrative is lost, particularly in the era of identity politics.
However the last section of the book covering ADHD was an enormous let down. The fact that Farrell was willing to work with John Gray has totally undermined the credibility of the whole book.
This section endorses pseudo science and quack medicine as a way of treating ADHD. Homoeopathy? Really?
Initially I wanted to tell everyone to read this book, now I’m embarrassed to have read it myself.
However the last section of the book covering ADHD was an enormous let down. The fact that Farrell was willing to work with John Gray has totally undermined the credibility of the whole book.
This section endorses pseudo science and quack medicine as a way of treating ADHD. Homoeopathy? Really?
Initially I wanted to tell everyone to read this book, now I’m embarrassed to have read it myself.
readingnookreviews's review against another edition
2.0
I think the author has trouble interpreting the context of the situations he pulls statistics from. Having a background in psychology, I’m always inclined to be skeptical of how people describe and interpret research secondhand. The book has an interesting premise and does bring up a complex social problem, but the execution was all wrong and a bit repetitive. Also, some suggestions or viewpoints don’t seem to apply to the working class or situations where people may need to take a certain job or do something in order to live! Although an important topic to discuss, the book ended up disappointing me with countless stereotypes, misinformation, and misinterpretation of research.
forkdogforkfruit's review against another edition
3.0
Up until the point where Farrel’s co-author takes over this book is worth the read and would get a higher rating from me. I can’t phantom why Farrell would include or need to have a co-author on this topic. His points are strong enough without the pseudoscience that his co-author peddles and the bull takes away from the validity of the book.
The sections talking about ADHD and gluten intolerance as well as hot salts baths to combat troubled boys is just laughable. Add to this Farrel claiming radiation from cell/ mobile phones damages sperm. This is demonstrably not true and leaves me wondering how many scientific blind spots I have where Farrell may have sneaked in untruths without me knowing or realising.
Overall the ideas are presented well and thought provoking and are useful. My main concern is the validity of some of the facts and stats based on the prior mentioned points. The philosophy alone in the book makes it worth the read. The alleged facts are something to maybe keep an open mind on.
Final word: I’d suggest a better editor and drop the co-author.
The sections talking about ADHD and gluten intolerance as well as hot salts baths to combat troubled boys is just laughable. Add to this Farrel claiming radiation from cell/ mobile phones damages sperm. This is demonstrably not true and leaves me wondering how many scientific blind spots I have where Farrell may have sneaked in untruths without me knowing or realising.
Overall the ideas are presented well and thought provoking and are useful. My main concern is the validity of some of the facts and stats based on the prior mentioned points. The philosophy alone in the book makes it worth the read. The alleged facts are something to maybe keep an open mind on.
Final word: I’d suggest a better editor and drop the co-author.
dyslexzak's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
hopeful
informative
inspiring
lighthearted
reflective
sad
medium-paced
4.0
Well put and important.
mantaq10's review against another edition
3.0
An important book about the crisis in society's underbelly. The author touches about parental alienation and the role of father's in raising children especially boys with references to a dearth of research in social sciences. The author also touches upon manhood issues and changing dynamics due to the recent improvements in women liberation that are causing some negative affects for manhood (beyond the narrative of scared men who are not willing for women to emancipate). The last part of the book is written by another author and not only falls short of a deserved ending but harms the authenticity of the book as it talks about homeopathy and other medical hacks for ADHD in a prescriptive tone. This fell rotten to me because the author also sells these himself and is blatant about referring it at the end of the book.
Wonder how much business this book actually got it in selling alt meds...
Wonder how much business this book actually got it in selling alt meds...
brittmariasbooks's review against another edition
4.0
When I friend of mine recommended The Boy Crisis to me, I was sceptical. However, it is really good and points out problems that do affect boys and men more than girls and women. For example, suicide, imprisonment, purpose void, lack of emotional intelligence and the effects of dad deprivation.
I was aware of a few of these problems, mostly on a superficial level. However, where women have fought for more options besides raising children and are now able to raise money or both money and children, men are still being told the same story: Be a warrior or raise money. Feminism is about equality so all genders should be able to raise children, raise money or raise both.
The book was also pretty intersectional and acknowledges that imprisonment, for example, affects Black boys and men more than white boys and men. However, the author points out that it is still (Black) boys and men who are affected more by this system.
I highly recommend this book, especially to feminists and parents to be.
I was aware of a few of these problems, mostly on a superficial level. However, where women have fought for more options besides raising children and are now able to raise money or both money and children, men are still being told the same story: Be a warrior or raise money. Feminism is about equality so all genders should be able to raise children, raise money or raise both.
The book was also pretty intersectional and acknowledges that imprisonment, for example, affects Black boys and men more than white boys and men. However, the author points out that it is still (Black) boys and men who are affected more by this system.
I highly recommend this book, especially to feminists and parents to be.