That's My Boy

Jenni Murray

Jul 2012 · Random House

About this ebook

A poignant, practical, light-hearted and celebratory look at raising boys with a strong and controversial message, asking that parents and the education system take responsibility for the 'feminisation' of boys, in much the same way as attention was paid to the 'masculinisation' of girls. Media and government attention is now being focussed on the fact that girls are outperforming boys academically but no mention is made of what kind of husbands and fathers they will make. With many families stretched to breaking point on the rack of mismatched expectations, boys need guidance on juggling work and family in the same way as girls are expected to; becoming domesticated as well as surviving in the jungle of accepted notions of 'masculinity'. The vital message is that boys, like girls, should have choices and should not be forced into the stereotypical role of the male as absent father or football fan. That's My Boy! covers boys' lives from birth to 18 and discusses everything from how a mother deals with the shock of caring for and maintaining a member of the opposite sex, how to endure hours spent on a rugby touchline, how to read the signs that indicate a longing for physical affection and whether or not to laugh at sexist jokes they bring home.

About the author

Jenni Murray has been the regular presenter of Radio 4's Woman's Hour since 1987. She also presents Weekend Woman's Hour each Saturday. In the Queen's Birthday Honours 1999 she was awarded an OBE for radio broadcasting. Jenni is the author of The Woman's Hour, a history of women since World War, and, for Vermilion, Is it me, or is it hot in here? She contributes to numerous newspapers and magazines and is an occasional documentary film-maker.