March is for Adolescence!
Low key my favorite developmental period.
Hello, March! It’s Time to Talk Adolescence.
Most of my content so far has been focused on toddlerhood and childhood, so I’m excited to devote this month to this special and oh-so-formative developmental stage.
Adolescence is a period with tons of physical, emotional, and cognitive changes. There’s rapid growth, there’s facial hair, there are hormones, there’s a new deepening voice; there’s identity formation, an increased need for independence, and seriously complex social dynamics. There’s development and refining of critical thinking skills, and there’s exploration of future aspirations and goals.
This period can be quite *tumultuous* as boys navigate newfound freedom, peer pressure, and societal expectations all while striving to establish their manhood, individuality, and autonomy.
During adolescence, boys in the U.S. (compared to girls), are more likely to be diagnosed with a behavior disorder, prescribed stimulants, fail out of school, binge drink, commit violent crimes, and/or take their own lives. These are just some of the topics I plan to touch on this month that are tied to masculinity norms.
BUT… please don’t think I’m a downer. There are SO many exciting and downright joyous aspects of this period for boys, too. Forming friendships and bonds, first kisses, self-exploration and discovery, newfound strength/athleticism, a deeper interest in learning, a sense of adventure, attraction, maybe even love.
Follow me on Instagram to catch all of my content, and pass along to friends who are boy parents—or who you think might simply find it interesting.
What I’m celebrating this month
I’ve launched my website! Check it out here and please share with those who you think may like to connect with me about the Bringing Up Boys mission.
Other things I’m celebrating: Spring Break; my new Blue Light Glasses; my blooming yellow orchid (6 current blooms and at least 5 more on their way!), and my son’s first “boy” haircut.
Who I’m Honoring This Month
March 1st was Zero Discrimination Day, and I want to honor Nex Benedict, a transgender 16-year-old who died the day after being beaten in their school bathroom in Oklahoma. Their grandmother reported that this was not the first time they had experienced discrimination due to their gender identity.
Kids deserve to feel safe; to learn in an environment free from bullying and discrimination; to live free from violence; to live free from online hate. They deserve to live free from fear, self-hatred, and shame. They deserve kindness, respect, and support.
So much of the culture of trans* hatred is tied to masculinity norms. Anti-trans* hatred stems, in large part, from ingrained notions of masculinity; any perceived deviation from those norms is a threat to traditional masculinity. Transgender individuals inherently challenge masculinity norms simply by being their authentic selves, which can provoke fear and insecurity in individuals who adhere to these strict norms.
The mission of Bringing Up Boys—addressing and dismantling masculinity norms to raise the next generation of happy, healthy men—is also crucial in dismantling anti-trans* hatred. We can do it, and we owe it to our kids to try our best.
What I’m Recommending This Month
A couple of the most important things I think we can do as boy parents are 1) to provide examples of role models of positive masculinity in the media and IRL, and 2) to help our sons consume media critically.
This month, for adolescent boys and their boy parents, I’m recommending Stranger Things and The Mask You Live In.
Stranger Things is generally appropriate for teenagers and adults and is an excellent TV show that highlights boys’ friendships and identity development.
The Mask You Live In is appropriate for ages 15 and up and is a documentary that illustrates the challenges boys and men face when grappling with societal expectations of masculinity. Experts from various disciplines highlight the "boy crisis" and offer strategies for fostering healthier masculinity and a more authentic and emotionally resilient generation of boys and men.
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