Based on William Pollack's groundbreaking research at Harvard Medical School and elsewhere over two decades, Real Boys explores this generation's "silent crisis"; why so many boys are sad, lonely, and confused although they may appear tough, cheerful, and confident. Pollack challenges conventional expectations about manhood and masculinity that encourage parents to treat boys as little men, raising them through a toughening process that drives their true emotions underground. Only when we understand what boys are really like, says Pollack, can parents and teachers help them develop more self-confidence and the emotional savvy they need to deal with issues such as depression and violence, drugs and alcohol, sexuality and love.

Just as Reviving Ophelia revealed the difficulties of growing up female, REAL BOYS gives parents much needed and practical advice about how to raise boys today and shows that by understanding boys--by listening to their voices--we can raise them to be happier, more successful men.

Pollack, W. (1999). Real Boys. New York: Henry Holt and Company.