Why is it boys many are so angry these days?

Boys can legitimately tap into the first two of the BIG 4 emotions – happiness, anger, fear and sadness. It is not cool or permissible in the current boy culture to show sadness or fear.

It is little wonder that anger is a huge issue for many boys. That is only negative emotion that they can legitimately display where they can keep face in the boy culture. If boys can't show sadness or fear then everything comes out as anger.

Parents need to enable boys to tap into all four emotions at home.

Start by acknowledging their loss and disappointments. (“It must be disappointing to miss out on the team.”) rather than telling them to get over things. It also helps if the significant males in their lives (i.e. fathers) can take them to the space by acknowledging sadness and fear when it occurs in their lives.

Then look for ways to help them manage loss and disappointment that leads to sadness or the events or aspects of their lives that can be scary. Avoidance of such emotions just causes boys to bury them. Acknowledgement and help with management leads to healthy emotional development - and less anger along the way.

Michael Grose is a popular parenting educator and parent coach. He is the director of Parentingideas, the author of seven books for parents and a popular presenter who speaks to audiences in Australia, Singapore and the USA. For free courses and resources to help you raise happy kids and resilient teenagers visit http://www.parentingideas.com.au

Source: www.a1articles.com