Man Enough: Fathers, Sons, and the Search for Masculinity

by Frank Pittman

Book Overview

How does a boy learn to be a man?

A man learns masculinity primarily from his father. But generations of boys who grow up without caring fathers or male mentors to emulate are left to guess what "men" are really like. They rely on cultural icons--larger-than-life images--as models of masculinity. As a result, they grow up mirroring overblown myths of manhood. Obsessed with being "man enough," they become philanderers, controllers, and...

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0399518835
• ISBN13: 9780399518836
• Release Date: October 1994
• Publisher: Penguin Publishing Group
• Length: 336 Pages
• Weight: 0.65 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.9" x 5.2" x 8.0"
• Age Range: 18 years and up
• Grade Range: Postsecondary and higher

Customer Reviews

A true gem!

This book is about the silent disease of machood and what it does to men and women alike. It offers much to be learned, if one really wants to be a free man in the world today!

A must for every father

This book talks about how we make ourselves feel like men, both in a healthy way and in a dysfunctional way. It talks about how we can change how we parent so that the way our sons make themselves feel like men is not as disfunctional as their father's ways. I didn't like some of what I read, but after reflection, I found much of what was said applied to me. Truth hurts sometimes, but it's good to hear.I would give it to every father I cared about.

The Great Man Does It Again

I first read this book almost six years ago now, and it impacted me profoundly. Dr. Pittman tackles the essential loneliness of what life can be like for a male and offers a means of escape from this foolish dance of solitaire.He advises men to expose their vulnerabilities to the other guys, relinquish the score-keeping that serves as a barrier to happiness. This does not mean opting out of the games-- life without them would be pretty dull; "what would we do, shop all day?"-- but delight in playing our best and cooperating with members of the team. Then, and only then, are we ready for a full cooperation with the other sex and can begin the process of raising boys ourselves.Dr. Pittman grinds no ideological ax and, like the best of therapists, invites us to learn; he never lectures. His voice- wise, funny, responsible, and modern in the best sense of the word- is one both men and women would be smart to heed.

Convincingly demonstrates what hinders full male development

Pittman's review is brilliant, so different from other books on male development. I sent copies to my three adult daughters.In my view, male pathology is severely harming us all. Pittman describes how that develops and how it can be avoided. He goes way beyond the pettiness of the contemporary sex wars.

Raising sons? Wonder where you came from? Read this book.

I got this book from my therapist. Perhaps too simple for the analytical types, but I believe he is right in thinking we are shaped by images from movies, television, and literature. Raising sons is my most important job. I don't want them to just grow up, I want them to grow up healthy and happy and well able to take their place in the world. Pittman's story of success and failure and flawed role models and good ones is worth reading if you wonder where you came from and what the hell you are supposed to be doing with your sons