Masculinity in the Making: Managing the Transition to Manhood

Contemporary society has imposed a set of unrealistic and confusing rules for men over 18 to follow. With post-adolescent men experiencing lower rates of academic success at the post-secondary level and escalating rates of violence perpetrated by this age group, jobs, careers and life itself are in crisis. These men in transition have emotional, social, academic, and career struggles that affect every aspect of their lives. Masculinity in the Making: Managing the Transition to Manhood; therefore, will examine these issues and offer strategies and examples of what is possible for the post-adolescent male; more specifically, attention will be paid to theories and health issues specific to this population, social and cultural issues, academic and career interventions, aggression and violence, and media portrayals. The reader will be left with a deep and clear understanding of the needs of men as well as how mentoring and counseling can provide them with the support needed to be successful and productive members of society.

Table of Contents:
Preface Acknowledgement Chapters 1)Toward A New Psychology of the Contemporary Man 2)Psychological Pitfalls: Males and Mental Health Issues 3)Manhood in the Making: Social and Cultural Influences on Masculinity in America 4)Education for Self-Efficacy: Breaking the Cycle of Male Underachievement in Post-Secondary Education 5)Making Their Way into the World: Finding that Just Right Career Fit 6)The Myth of Being the Macho Man: Aggression, Competition, Bullying, and Violence in Contemporary Society 7)Being Batman: Media Portrayals of Masculine Behavior 8)Does Father Know Best? The Many Paths to Contemporary Fatherhood Among Young Males References About the Authors

About the Author :
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 is a 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.

Review :
Since the first cry of “Girl Power” adolescent boys and emerging adult men have been losing ground in all aspects of their lives. They struggle to find their place in school, community, and even work and look to often absent adult males to fill in the gaps. Masculinity in the Making: Managing the Transition to Manhood reviews existing literature and offers strategies and interventions for these often stuck males so that they can move forward with dignity and strength. The authors take time to review emerging adult theory and the crossroads with therapeutic mentors, as well as how young men navigate college or a career path. A look at how the media and internet influence the emerging male also provide valuable insights to where society is losing ground and how we can change course. Readers will find this book to be a valuable resource that they go back to time and time again. Masculinity in the Making: Managing the Transition to Manhood provides the framework that allows the reader to learn about up-to-date evidence-based practices that promote positive outcomes from those suffering from behavioral health disorders. The authors demonstrate a solid body of knowledge in research and clinical science that contribute to the betterment of literature in both psychology and medicine. This book is highly recommended for any clinician of any persuasion to learn from or adopt into their own practice. Masculinity in the Making: Managing the Transition to Manhood provides an updated look at existing literature and connects it to what it means to ‘be a man’ in society today. The authors bring together theory and application as it relates to the emerging adult, providing a timely examination of just how difficult it is to grow up male. Chapters in the book provide a deep dive into college and career readiness, the path to fatherhood, media portrayals both past and present, as well as a look at male aggression and competition. The book is a balance of topics that together provide a comprehensive picture of the adolescent and emerging adult male that parents, educators, professors, college students, and therapists will benefit from reading.