How Masculine Culture Emotional Stunts Middle School Boys

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Middle school is often a time for social cruelty and a rite of passage, but it can emotionally stunt kids. Talking to Una made me realize how boring and stunted the boys in my school were. This behavior can last into adulthood.

Writer Ben James and his wife Oona are raising their sons in a progressive and “queer-friendly” New England town. They actively encourage the boys to be themselves, never mind those traditional gender norms around “masculinity” and “femininity.” All was well. Until the elder son, Huck, went to sixth grade. Story by Ben James, with hosts Celeste Headlee and John Biewen, and psychologist Terrence Real.

Music by Alex Weston, Evgueni and Sacha Galperine, Blue Dot Sessions, and Kevin MacLeod. Music and production help from Joe Augustine at Narrative Music.