How To! How To Raise a Boy
Oct 7, 2025
Ashanti Branch, a youth development worker and founder of The Ever Forward Club, shares invaluable insights on raising emotionally intelligent boys. He discusses the importance of understanding the 'mask' boys wear and the need for curiosity-driven conversations to uncover their feelings. Ashanti emphasizes the impact of peer pressure and modern rites of passage, advocating for diverse interests to build resilience. He also encourages parents to foster trust and self-awareness, helping boys navigate their identities amidst societal expectations.
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From Engineer To Mentor
- Ashanti describes leaving engineering to tutor and then teach, which led to founding the Ever Forward Club.
- He traded building designs for building relationships after noticing students struggled beyond academics.
The Mask Exercise Origin
- Ashanti recounts using anonymous writing when boys resisted talking about emotions.
- The writing exercise evolved into the mask activity revealing visible and hidden traits.
Masks Reveal Hidden Selves
- The mask lets boys differentiate between their public persona and hidden self.
- That awareness helps them name feelings and separate identity from social expectations.