Masculinity in the Making

Nicholas D. Young, PhD, EdD has worked in diverse educational roles for more than 30 years, serving as a teacher, principal, counselor, special education director, graduate professor, graduate program director, graduate dean, and longtime superintendent of schools. He was named the Massachusetts Superintendent of the Year. Dr. Young holds several graduate degrees including a PhD in educational administration and an EdD in educational psychology. Dr. Young has written extensively in the fields of education, counseling, and psychology. Christine N. Michael, PhD isa more than 40-year educational veteran with a variety of professional experiences; including middle and high school teaching, higher education administration, college teaching, and educational consulting. She has also been involved with Head Start, Upward Bound, national non-profits Foundation for Excellent Schools and College for Every Student, and the federal Trio programs. She is currently the Program Director of Low Residency Programs at American International College. Dr. Michael has published widely on topics in education and psychology.Elizabeth Jean, EdD has served as an elementary school educator and administrator in various rural and urban settings in Massachusetts for more than 20 years, where she has worked to create positive learning environments for all students. As a building administrator, she has fostered partnerships with staff, families, various local businesses, and higher education institutions. In addition to her work in PK12, she is a graduate adjunct professor at the Van Loan School of Education, Endicott College. She has written widely on topics in education from preschool to PhD.

Over the past two decades, a number of books have been published on the changing nature of men and masculinity in the US across a variety of topical areas—the transition from childhood and adolescence into male adulthood, the educational experiences of boys and young men, the psychological and emotional health of males, and the social and cultural influences on masculinity, among others. In this book, the authors do a superb job of summarizing key findings from past empirical and theoretical contributions in these particular areas. However, their real contribution is their extension of such inquiry and discussion to address the question of what is to be done. As the authors are a veteran team of educators, counselors, coaches, and parents, they masterfully integrate the findings from numerous academic studies into concrete, practical suggestions to promote best practices, policies, and approaches to promote prosocial male behavior, academic and vocational success, and smoother and healthier transition into adulthood and successful fathering. The authors' translation—and transition—from abstract theory to prescriptive praxis is a real strength of this book and a most welcome addition to the important and growing discipline of men and masculinity studies. Summing Up: Highly recommended. Graduate students, faculty, and professionals.

• PrefaceAcknowledgementChaptersToward A New Psychology of the Contemporary ManPsychological Pitfalls: Males and Mental Health IssuesManhood in the Making: Social and Cultural Influences on Masculinity in AmericaEducation for Self-Efficacy: Breaking the Cycle of Male Underachievement in Post-Secondary EducationMaking Their Way into the World: Finding that Just Right Career FitThe Myth of Being the Macho Man: Aggression, Competition, Bullying, and Violence in Contemporary SocietyBeing Batman: Media Portrayals of Masculine BehaviorDoes Father Know Best? The Many Paths to Contemporary Fatherhood Among Young MalesReferencesAbout the Authors