R  A  I  S  I  N  G      G  O  O  D      S  O  N  S
 

   Raising Good Sons is for parents and anyone else concerned about the general well being of boys. This workshop, while sensitive to the needs of our increasingly complex and diverse society, proactively examines what our boys need to become fine young men: understanding, acceptance and support from the family, schools and larger community as well as relationships with male mentors.

   Utilizing Michael Gurian's touchstone vision of boys being biologically hard-wired gender specifically and ready to "interface" with society, Raising Good Sons, through lecture, PowerPoint slideshow, handouts, discussion and activities, takes an in-depth look at how "boy culture" impacts the emotional, social and educational lives of our children.

   Philosophy

   While some argue that we should treat children as individuals, through state-of-the-art brain imaging techniques such as Positron Emission Tomography (PET), Brain Electrical Activity Mapping (BEAM) and Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI), previously hidden details are being revealed about cognitive functions as scientists are now able to accurately view the functions of the brain down to the cellular level. As such, it is now undeniable that boys and girls (when measured as entities in the order of some varying characteristic) have complex and distinct neurological differences that affect behavior, interests, relationships and learning styles. 

   By educating ourselves to this groundbreaking interdisciplinary approach that incorporates neurobiology, biochemistry, psychology, anthropology, moral theory and sociology to gender studies, we now have a comprehensive, balanced and authentic passageway to embrace just how wonderful the capacities of girls and boys really are. With a deeper knowledge of this brain, hormone and genetic diversity, we can indeed effectively assist them in making appropriate choices as they mature throughout the course of their developmental stages, thereby helping bring about fairness and peace into our schools, homes and communities. 

   Topics

	Distinguishing Between Gender Stereotypes and Generalizations
	Why Boys Are the Way They Are
	How Our Children's Neuro-Biology Was Created and How Their Gender Cultures Are In-Turn Created By This Neuro-Biology
	Boys in the Real World and School
	The Connection Between the Need for Mother-Son Attachment and the Physical and Brain Development of Boys
	The Connection Between the Need for Father-Son Attachment and the Physical and Brain Development of Boys
	Unique Needs and Challenges Boys Face
	Relationship Building Tools for Mothers & Fathers Toward their Sons
	Character Development for Boys
	How Boys Naturally Crave Discipline, Structure and Rules
	How Boys & Girls Act Out Differently When Troubled

How to Help Boys Express Emotions in Healthy Ways

The Ways Boys Search for their Self-Worth

	How to Advocate for Our Sons and Nature-Based Pedagogy in the Schools
	Resources, Including Practical Strategies Based on Genetic and Neural Science

   Seminars can range from 1.5 to three hours.
   
   Presenters 

Joe Manthey

   This seminar satisfies the requirements for Title I.