Troubled Boys
Here are Some Troubling Facts About Boys, excerpted from Aaron's book.
Publisher's Synopsis
At the
century's end, crime is down from its all time records. But the incidence of
destructive behavior among American boys remains alarmingly high. Substance
abuse, suicide, assault, gun-carrying and homicide rates still exceed, by far,
those of all other industrialized nations. This compelling book by former "bad
boy" Aaron Kipnis examines the lives of boys at risk and suggests ways
we can help them to thrive and make positive contributions to life. Angry
Young Men offers specific, practical advice for parents, teachers, counselors,
community leaders and justice professionals. It is a riveting, expert account
for everyone concerned about how we can save our young men.
Aaron Kipnis
writes from personal and professional experience, sharing both the riveting
story of his own troubled youth-and how he turned himself around—and the successful
approaches he has used to help bad boys become good men. Kipnis, a nationally
respected educator and consultant in clinical psychology today, was first incarcerated
at the age of eleven when he ran away from home after a beating. Having previously
lived a large portion of his childhood in foster care, he spent most of the
next seven years living in temporary housing, locked institutions or on the
streets. Rather than surrendering to this downward spiral, however, he changed
course, devoting his professional energies to similarly affected boys and young
men. In Angry Young Men he weaves together his life experiences, research,
and clinical observations to offer clear and practical suggestions for how we
all can help at-risk youth.
"The
majority of difficult, troubled, criminal, and even violent young men can lead
whole and productive lives when given the right opportunities and leadership",
Kipnis says. He points out that most of the young men in American prisons today
were first incarcerated for nonviolent crimes. Instead of receiving the help
they need there, however, most boys return to society with their initial troubles
only further aggravated by the violent world behind bars.
But there
is hope. This book tells parents exactly what they need to know if their boy
is having trouble socially or emotionally, in school, or with drugs or gangs.
It offers educators insights into how to work with disruptive boys. And it shows
counselors, justice professionals, and community youth leaders how to build
trust and affect change with troubled youth. Angry Young Men offers compelling
strategies for everyone who wants
to help at-risk boys become strong, productive, caring, and compassionate men.
Praise for Angry Young Men
One
of the most important books written in the last decade.
-
Robert Bly, author of Iron John and The Sibling Society
With
stories of the triumph of human courage against insurmountable odds, Aaron Kipnis
clearly demonstrates that redemption, human dignity, and transformation are
possible among the most troubled of our youth.
-
Dr. Robert E. Roberts, Executive Director, Project Return, Tulane University
Medical Center
In
this well-written book, Kipnis inspires us to recognize and to nurture the essentially
wonderful spirit in every child.
-
Peter R. Breggin, M.D., author, The War Against Children of Color and
Talking Back to Ritalin
Everybody
committed to increasing our public safety will benefit from the effective strategies
for healing 'bad boys,' thereby enabling them to become productive adults rather
than career criminals.
-
Senator John Vasconcellos, chair of the California Senate Public Safety Committee
A
compelling work that deeply moves and educates you as it seeks to build an informed
and inspired advocacy for at-risk boys and young men. Kipnis arms us with healing
alternatives that are within our reach. Essential reading.
-
Dr. Mary Watkins, clinical psychologist; author, Waking Dreams and Invisible
Guests.
Aaron
Kipnis' story of childhood homelessness, drugs, and prison exposes our wealthy
country's cruelty toward youths and suggests why, astonishingly, today's bad
boys are doing much better than we have a right to expect.
- Mike Males, author, The Scapegoat Generation and Framing Youth.
With unique passion and insight, Aaron Kipnis shatters the myths about troubled
young men in our society. A compassionate look at at-risk youth that compels
each one of us into action.-
Michael Gurian, author, The Wonder of Boys and A Fine Young Man.
Bio
Aaron Kipnis, Ph.D. is president of The Fatherhood Coalition, a non-profit organization
dedicated to aiding men in developing the skills and resources needed to best
parent their children. He is the author of Knights Without Armor, co-author
of What Women and Men Really Want, and has written many book chapters
and articles on topics concerning male roles and relationships.
As co-directors
of the Gender Relations Institute, Aaron and his partner Liz Herron, facilitate
male/female communication workshops nationwide and hold private consultations
with couples and individual clients in Santa Barbara, California. Private intensives
are also provided there for out of area clients. Dr. Kipnis is on the core faculty
of Pacifica Graduate Institute where he trains graduate students in clinical
and depth psychology. He is an international speaker and consultant on male
psychology to myriad professional organizations, universities and training institutes.
His most
recent book is: Angry Young Men: How Parents, Teachers, and Counselors
can Help "Bad Boys" become Good Men. (Jossey-Bass Publishers, Oct.,
1999)
Visit Aaron's Web site, http://www.malepsych.com/
