A Newsweek article tells why boys aren't being allowed to be boys and the price we're paying because of it

A recent Newsweek article titled "Struggling School-Age Boys" discusses concerns over the growing epidemic of boys failing to succeed in school and the problems being caused that are plaguing families because of it. The article written by Peg Tyre, the author of "The Trouble With Boys", examines a recent report issued by the federal government's National Center for Health Statistics which explains "the parents of nearly one of every five boys in the United States were concerned enough about what they saw as their sons' emotional or behavioral problems that they consulted a doctor or a health-care professional. By comparison, about one out of 10 parents of girls reported these kinds of problems" and confirms that "lots of school-age boys are struggling. And, parents are intensely worried about them."

The article goes on to state, "What is ailing our sons? Some experts suggest we are witnessing an epidemic of ADHD and say boys need more medication. Others say that environmental pollutants found in plastics, among other things, may be eroding their attention spans and their ability to regulate their emotions. Those experts may be right but I have another suggestion. Let's examine the way our child rearing and our schools have evolved in the last 10 years. Then ask ourselves this challenging question: could some of those changes we have embraced in our families, our communities and our schools be driving our sons crazy?"

This article is alarming on all levels and pretty much makes me sick. This should not be happening. Personally speaking, as an educator and mother of a nine year old boy who struggles with anxiety issues, I've seen this happening from two very different view-points for and it only seems to be getting worse. In fact, I recently took a sabbatical from teaching in order to insure my own son's success for concerns that are frightfully similar to the ones detailed in the Newsweek article.

Don't you think we are failing our children by unnecessarily demanding them to do too much too soon? Why isn't there any time built in for when a child is faced with a difficult concept? Teachers are pressured to structure their classrooms to insure success on a statewide test. This at the risk of robbing students of actually growing a knowledge-base that nurtures deeper meaning of concepts fostering the formulation of original ideas and drawing individual conclusions. And what message are we sending our children about school? Don't we want our children to develop a life-long love of learning? That doesn't happen by removing the things that make learning fun and worthwhile.
Isn't it our job to raise our children to be independent, individual thinkers with something to contribute to society and not over-medicated robots so afraid of taking risks they end up fearing the world? Why? Why? Why?

"Some researchers responded to last weeks' study by calling for more resources for more mental-health services for children—especially males. That's an admirable goal. But when nearly one in five boys has such serious behavioral and emotional issues that their parents are talking it over with their pediatrician, you can bet we are facing a problem that requires a more fundamental change in our society than medication or weekly therapy. Let's take a moment, before the school year gets any farther underway, and ask ourselves whether we are raising and educating our boys in a way that respects their natural development. And if we are not, let's figure out how we can bring our family life and our schools back into line."

I'm a true follower of Ms. Tyre's wisdom.

Link: Struggling School Age Boys