I wanted to get this as a gift for a friend of mine who found out she was pregnant with a boy. I am glad I listened to it first because it did not turn out being what I thought it was going to be. James Dobson seems to focus on the extremes such a what causes boys to have a higher chance of becoming criminals and homosexuals. I was looking for practical advice on how a mother should interact and relate to her boy (especially for someone who doesn't have brothers, and this is her first child, etc.). Only one chapter in the first half of the book was devoted to this subject and did give some great practical advice. I just thought the whole book was going to be about this. Therefore, I stopped listening halfway through the book because I was very convinced this was not the book I was looking for. I did not get this for my friend and will keep looking. Good information, just not on the topic I was looking for.

I have to say that this book wasn't what I expected and I don't really mean that in a negative way.I was just expecting a lot more concrete"do this and do that" advice. And I also really feel that I need to say that this book both frightened and depressed me at times. There were, of course, some great principles for raising boys, which I found very helpful since I grew up with a sister and, obviously, had no hand in the childhood development of my husband.

I like Dr. Dobson's book because I feel like he doesn't really sugar coat what he's trying to say, as he shouldn't. I agree with many of the things he says in his book. I like the fact that he provided a biological description of a boy's brain function, as it's always helpful to understand what is actually making us tick. The frightening and depressing parts occured when he brought up the many things out there that can influence a young man that I had either never given much thought to or simply had no idea were happening in our world.

There were some times when I thought Dr. Dobson might have been carrying a point with too heavy a hand. And there were times when the sheer number of studies and statistics he mentioned in a single chapter were dizzying. There were also points in the book where I feel like his pride over his work was getting in the way of my actually interpreting his point. Of course I have no knowledge to the contrary, but in the absence of all of the studies and statistics he usually would cite to make a point, I found it hard to believe that he was responsible for a large upswing in the number of parents who chose to homeschool their children.

I do believe that if you are the lucky parent of a son, you should consider reading this book. Dr. Dobson has some really useful advice on bringing up boys that is backed up with Biblical principles. Just don't let his descriptions and statistics color your world grey, for they can, at times, make it seem like there's no hope for the world. Also, I believe is might be beneficial for him update his book, as it was written 11 years ago and there may be updated research that would greatly help his audience and/or provide more clarity for young mothers in this decade.

I was really disappointed with the book. While Dr. Dobson did well to address complicated societal issues with regard to the male upbringing, there were many discrepancies in time way he addressed things. Frankly, I'd like to read the book over and take copious notes this time, so I might address them with Dr. Dobson point-by-point.

A couple that stand out to me, though, are these:

Dr. Dobson speaks the old adage that if your don is hyperactive and such, have him see s doctor for the possible diagnosis of ADHD. In other chapters, though, he strongly emphasizes that boys are are just plain hyperactive and what we need to do is let boys be boys; just change our patenting accordingly. There are discrepancies in several of the first chapters with regard to any contention of ADHD, and I think Dr.Dobson does a disservice in the way it is all discussed.

Further into the book, he speaks of homosexuality and whether it is genetic or not. Dr. Dobson strongly infers a genetic basis when saying a male might be inclined to homosexuality, but later says that person has a choice. What is it, Dr.Dobson? Genetics or choice?

Those are just a couple matters, but the ADHD factor is related to many early chapters of the book, and I think Dr. Dobson, as great as he is, has a lot of correction to make.

An excellent book that my wife and I read together. I highly recommend it for those raising boys, expecting a boy, or hoping to have a boy at some point. Dobson utilizes scripture, scientific literature, and stories from people’s lives to support the advice and truths he writes. He doesn’t stray away from the very real dangers that beset young boys in our society. Instead he exhorts parents to take up the difficult challenge of parenting well with great authority, evidence, and eloquence.

I will be keeping this book within easy reach as my wife and I look forward to bringing up our own boy in the very near future.

Oh, where do I begin?

If you're looking for a book to pinpoint all the dangers teenage boys face, all the ways you're probably screwing up as a parent, and how to keep him from becoming one of the gays, well this book is for you, my friend!

Basically, Dr. Dobson blames today's current society (that is going to hell in a hand-basket) on feminists, homosexuals, liberals, and the non-saved folk. He speaks with, what I suppose he thinks is, an air of Christianity that, in reality, comes off as an air of superiority. His viewpoints are not very Christian-like, despite numerous testimonies and scripture throughout the book. I feel the need to point out that I am a Catholic, and I love God. I just expect more from someone who is supposed to be well-educated, Christian or not.

Feminists and homosexuals are his biggest targets to the downfall of masculinity. He rants about the feminist movement, only giving a brief sentence of acknowledgement that at the time it started women had no "equal pay, for equal work" and endured sexual harassment more often than men in the workplace. However, he later goes on to blame feminists for men not being able to be firm in business anymore because they have to fear a woman making false claims about harassment and losing their jobs.

Now, I'm not saying that's never happened, but do we live on the same planet Dr. Dobson? He blames high divorce rates on the feminist movement as well, but never cites how difficult it was for women at that time to get out of highly abusive relationships. I'd expect at least that from a doctor of psychology.

His viewpoints on homosexuality are very one sided. He only links articles and studies that support his viewpoint, ignoring all other evidence.

He gives advice throughout the book on how to avoid turning your child into a wild, hateful, homosexual adolescent, and then let's you know that you can do everything right and still have that outcome.

He cites, and seems to agree with, a viewpoint that mothers are basically unneeded by a boy by the time they reach age of somewhere between 3-5 (fathers are more important from that point forward), and then goes on later to say that having a stay-at-home mother (if you can afford it) is essential in the home to keep your children, but especially boys, on track and out of trouble. This is just one example of how he seems to lean in more than one direction on a subject.

Finally, I do have to give credit to Chapter 15. I agree with most of what he says in that area, a good portion of it dedicated to telling parents that it isn't so much what you give your child, but more so how you spend time with your child. I've always believed that time and love supersedes things.

Unfortunately, one chapter is not enough to save the word-vomit that was this book. If you want to read it, do so only for the laughter that his "statistics" and anecdotes provides.

If I had a physical copy of this book, I think I'd burn it.

Nice reading of what it means to raise boys these days. We really do live in a world torn apart by controversies and insane philosophies. Both growing up and raising a child today is a difficult task. However, it is possible with God's grace and wisdom.
The book also helped me better understand the way boys think, work, read, play, and view authority in their lives. I even understood my husband a little better. Totally worth a read if you want to have a firm foundation in this shaky uncertain world for your son.

This book assumes that all boys are the same and that they are all stereotypical. It also assumes that if your son plays with dolls, likes pink, wears his mother's shoes when he's like 3 he will grow up and be GAY.

Yes, folks, let your son do girly, girl things and he'll be out in some gay club wearing chaps with his butt hanging out looking to score.

NO THAT'S NOT EVEN GOING TO HAPPEN! Do NOT take child rearing advice from a man who thinks it's OK to go after dogs with belts and to torment small children over the slightest little thing into submission.

I haven't finished the book Real Boys, but so far it's good and acts like boys are complex people and not just stereotypes. But real people with emotions, feelings and needs.

This book was recommended in the Youtube video "Raising Virtuous Sons in an UnGodly World" by Midday Moms. The beginning focuses on the general differences between the sexes. He has a casual writing style, like an uncle sitting down to "give it to you straight." Yet he is very very thorough; I was surprised that he spoke about certain taboo subjects. His section on homosexuality revealed his deep conviction about homosexuality as something which is learned and he is a big promoter of reparative therapy. I was a bit skeptical about some of the data he presented throughout the book. I was also not entirely satisfied with how he handles masturbation. Regardless it was beautiful to see this man's faith behind this entire book. He repeatedly asserted the necessity of the Gospel and raising children in the faith. He hits the nail on the head when he talks about the many ways our boys are at a disadvantage in the current culture, the absolute necessity of fathers and the phenomenon of "wounded spirits." It also encouraged me rethink my growing interest into the so-called gentle parenting and attachment parenting philosophies. I have had my hesitations about these especially in light of traditional discipline. Discipline (particularly of boys) is definitely another area that I will be praying for discernment. It's a book I have jokingly told my husband that I should have read before getting married just for the information about how men and women approach things differently. There are some parts that will probably hurt your feelings, make you roll your eyes, other parts will have you clapping your hands or touch your heart. I think it is worth reading, if only to emphasize how much we need to be praying for our sons.

The first time I read this book I was pregnant w. my boy but it actually taught me a lot about my husband as well. It is very interesting and informative and an easy non-fiction to get into.
I just read several people's reviews on this book and I find a lot of them downright HILARIOUS. First of all, Dr. Dobson bases his "views" on scientific research not just his opinions. Second, WHY OH WHY, do Christian folks feel the need to share a book based on inherently Christian parenting with non-Christians? Ever heard of throwing pearls at swine? It just doesn't make sense. I would never expect a non-Christian to have the same views on parenting as I do. Well, I have said all I feel the need to say. For now. . .

Good information for Christian parents looking for advice on raising boys. Some information is common sense and some is new. All of it is relevant and interesting, even if you may not agree with all of Dr. Dobson's views.

Coming from a family that went through so much division and loss, I have been a little awed by and afraid of raising my own child. Afraid, because I don’t want to mess this up. This book has been a source of strength and support. He gave advice on how to deal with all kinds of problems through love and commitment to the family. I have noticed a lot of hatred in the reviews for this book and am amazed by that. I read quite a few books, and have started to read several that were filled with amazing levels of violence, profanity, and smut. I could hardly get through the first couple pages before calling it quits. And yet, those books did not receive half the hate that this book has. I wonder why?

Dr. Dobson does not hide his political agenda in anything he is apart of, this book included. Some of his views may be a bit right wing, even for me. However, no one can deny the cold hard facts he lays before his readers in Bringing Up Boys.

Dobson scientifically analyzes biological data, he compares Christian perspective with secular world views/perspectives and he manages to do it all in a loving grandfatherly sort of way. His critics felt attacked by his book--I felt challenged. Yeah, so maybe he quoted mostly from Christian authors/personalities to support his views; but what do you expect? He is the leading Christian Psychologist in the US! And besides, he did manage to pull very convincing truths from a non-Christian columnist (pp202), so there!

When all is said and done, I learned an awful lot about boys/men from Dobson. Like how why it is men/boys feel the need to risk their life and limb for no apparent reason other than to "have a good time". And I will most definitely reference this book when sweet baby O hits his teens...even if that may be light years away.