Good Life Project Building Better Boys | Michael Reichert
Aug 20, 2019
Michael Reichert, founding director of the Center for the Study of Boys' and Girls' Lives at the University of Pennsylvania, shares insights on the complexities of boys' behavior and societal expectations. He debunks myths surrounding masculinity, advocating for empathy and emotional support. Discussing the importance of safe spaces for boys, Reichert emphasizes nurturing environments to foster emotional expression. He highlights the role of parental influence in shaping boys' identities and calls for a deeper understanding of their unique challenges.
AI Snips
Chapters
Books
Transcript
Episode notes
Michael Reichert's Violent School Memory
- Michael Reichert recounts witnessing a violent school fight in which a boy was kicked to death at age 14. - This shocking event prompted him to transfer schools and shaped his understanding of male violence.
Violence Is Learned, Not Natural
- Boys are not inherently violent; violence stems from cultural conditioning and violations of their fundamental social needs. - Negative boyhood outcomes reflect broken relational connections, not biology alone.
Build Resistance to Masculine Tropes
- Parents cannot shield sons from hyper-masculine stereotypes but can build their resistance to such limiting norms. - Teach boys to recognize and critically evaluate traditional masculine tropes.
