Review by Booklist Review
Price addresses a situation he refers to as opting out, in which teen boys appear lazy when in fact they are reacting to fear and pressure by shunning school with avoidance and denial. Price offers examples, lessons, and advice from his 25 years as a psychologist. While the book is filled with well-documented research, it is accessible to general readers. Price helps readers make a paradigm shift in how they view their sons' behavior, explains the science behind human brain development, provides instructions for creating a plan for success, and most importantly, outlines how parents can change their own attitudes. The parents' change in perspective is the most important key; in the process, they will help their sons create self-sufficient, self-regulated plans. Parents, college students, teachers, and psychologists will gain a better understanding of the problem and know how to help teen boys who are going through it have a successful school career. A good addition for public library parenting collections as well as academic libraries.--McIntosh, Joyce Copyright 2017 Booklist
From Booklist, Copyright (c) American Library Association. Used with permission.
Review by Publisher's Weekly Review
Clinical psychologist Price maintains that increasingly competitive American society has fostered an epidemic of motivation-lacking teens and preteens, especially boys. His informative debut book focuses on those who "'opt-out' of the competition altogether" when they feel inadequate to meet the many demands placed on them. In the first section, he helps parents understand these boys' struggles by outlining how a variety of issues affect the way they act and feel, including their changing minds and bodies, their often-neglected emotions, and their learning styles. The second section provides tools, suggestions, and guidelines for setting parents and their teenage sons on a path to self-motivation. Price reinforces his theory with case studies, expert commentary, clinical research, and statistics, adding substance to this already instructive guide. Charts and tables peppered throughout visually highlight the statistics and examples he references, and an appendix features a series of planning worksheets for teenage boys and their parents. Price's book will provide inspiration for scores of parents seeking to understand why their sons are floundering, and will encourage greater acceptance for how today's teenage boys face challenges. (Aug.) © Copyright PWxyz, LLC. All rights reserved.
(c) Copyright PWxyz, LLC. All rights reserved
Review by Library Journal Review
Clinical psychologist Price offers one of the most significant books of the year in this new look at an old problem-the underperforming teenage boy. Many parents will relate to the dynamic of the "opt-out kid," who Price argues is, contrary to appearances, not lazy but rather "overcome by demands that he fears he simply cannot meet." These kids tend to fall into four categories: Mr. Oppositional, Mr. Do-It-For-Me, Mr. Popular, and Mr. Uncertain. Supporting three touchstones of masculinity (competence, control, and connection), the author then presents specific tips for striking a balance between giving your kid space and setting limits (e.g., stop taking the opt-out attitude personally, stop telling him how smart he is, etc.). With today's kids being pushed harder than ever to perform and succeed at an early age, Price's book brings an important voice to a much-needed conversation. VERDICT Highly recommended. © Copyright 2017. Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
(c) Copyright Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
