Raising Cain DVD - Review

Introduction




This is a 2-hr PBS documentary which explores the emotional development of boys in America today. Dr Thompson conducted in-depth interviews with various boys from birth through high school, of different race and socio-economical backgrounds. His candid interviews reveal the many challenges and confusion all boys encounter while growing up in America.




This video is an eye-opener which reveals:

1. How and why boys are being stifled in their development by society, by stereo-typing and also by educational system which is inclined towards girls’ development.

2. How the lack of positive adult-male role models give rise to boy’s decline in classroom performance, rise in violent outbreaks and inability to communicate inner feelings.

At the end of each section, Dr Thompson models ways for parents, educators and counselors to engage boys and help them discuss many internal issues they have conflicts with.

Though the video focuses on American boys, I can easily identify many similar issues which also exist locally, in Singapore.

Yes, there are many interesting parenting books in the market about raising boys. And it would take a while to read and “digest” their content. This video has cleverly condensed the essence of the problems in raising boys in such an easy and comprehensive manner that I believe it can speed up our learning curve in raising our boys.

I highly recommend this Raising Cain video to parents, educators and anyone who works with boys, and is interested in raising happy and successful boys.