Raising Real Men Book Review and Giveaway

The people that predict trends in society to aid marketers say that in 2011, the EN-GEN Revolution begins.

What is EN-GEN you ask? According to Faith Popcorn's BrainReserve, EN-GEN (or End of Gender) “is neither female nor male. Just Human.”

This website goes on to explain, “We are predicting for 2011, and for the decades to come, that we will enter an unprecedented period marked by the end of our traditional gender divide.”

Personally, I find this idea—whether it is actually happening or not—blasphemous.

So God created man in his own image, in the image of God created he him; male and female created he them. –Genesis 1:27

It appears Hal and Melanie Young wrote their book Raising Real Men just in the nick of time. Although they confirm Popcorn’s predictions in the first chapter, they spend the remaining 200 pages giving us tools to assure these predictions do not come true—at least not in our own families.

Look at magazines in the grocery store line. Heroism and confidence are passé; it’s men who are sensitive, soft, self-doubting, damaged in some way, that get the media attention. Women are being encouraged to seduce men, while at the same time their maternal instincts toward them are being aroused. Talk about making objects of people.

It’s as if feminism, in its effort to win respect for women, decided to trade gender roles instead.
Women are praised to the extent they act like men, and men are praised for how womanly they become. (page 26)

Further on, the Young’s ask the reader several questions:

Are we willing to do what it takes, to be what it takes, to let our boys be boys, and help them grow to be men? Real men? Or will we sit back and take the long, sloping pathway to a gender-neutral, unisex future for our sons? (page 26)

Hal and Melanie continue to discuss a boy’s need for heroes and what those heroes should look like. They discuss boldness and courage. They look at the roles of leadership, responsibility, competition, and other areas of boy training that are neglected in our current society.

Coming from a Christian perspective, the Young’s pull no punches in their beliefs. Although I do not agree with all of their theology, I think the spirit behind what they share is right on. And the advice, as you can see, is quite timely.

Hal and Melanie have six sons and two daughters. They speak on parenting, family, and education issues and have had their writings published in several magazines including Homeschooling Today and the Homeschool Digest. If you would like to read Raising Real Men, you can get your own FREE copy here. The Young’s have provided a copy to give away to Everything Home readers. Here’s how to enter:

Get one chance by commenting on this post. You must include your email address so that I know how to contact you if your name is drawn.

Get another chance by being or becoming a follower. Just let me know in your comment.

Get other chances, one each for the following: post about this giveaway on your blog, share it on Facebook, or share it on Twitter. If you do this, just give me another comment letting me know.

Deadline for this drawing is midnight, Friday, April 8, 2011.

Does this shake you up? Have an opinion on EN-GEN? Want a copy of Raising Real Men? I’d love to hear from you.

Blessings,