It is important to note that there is no single answer to the question of what should or should not be allowed when raising boys, as parenting strategies may vary depending on cultural, personal, and individual factors.
However, the following points highlight certain practices that are not generally recommended to promote the healthy and well-rounded development of boys.
Gender stereotypes
Avoid reinforcing restrictive gender norms that dictate what is considered “masculine” or “feminine.”
Encourage boys to express themselves authentically and pursue a variety of interests, regardless of societal expectations.
Emotional suppression
Don't encourage the idea that boys should constantly suppress or hide their emotions.
Teach them emotional intelligence, empathy, and effective communication skills that will help them express and manage their feelings in a healthy way.
Aggression
Reject the idea that boys should resort to violence or aggression to solve problems.
Promote nonviolent conflict resolution strategies, encourage empathy, and teach them how to negotiate and compromise.
Toxic Masculinity
Avoid toxic masculinity traits such as dominance, sexism, misogyny, or belief in male superiority.
Instead, emphasize respect, equality, and healthy relationships with all genders.
Limited career opportunities
Avoid pushing narrow career choices based on gender stereotypes.
Encourage boys to explore different areas of interest and support their pursuit of any activity they enjoy, regardless of society's expectations.
Lack of household chores
Teach boys the importance of shared household responsibilities.
Encourage them to participate in housework, cooking, cleaning, and other household chores, developing a sense of equality and empathy in their future relationships.
Unhealthy competition
Avoid excessive and unhealthy competition among boys, which can lead to harmful behavior or lack of empathy.
Encourage healthy competition that promotes growth, collaboration and teamwork.
Neglect of mental health
Prioritize boys' mental and emotional well-being.
Encourage them to seek help when needed and emphasize the importance of self-care.
Please remember that these points serve as general guidelines to promote healthy development in boys.
Ultimately, understanding and respecting each individual child's unique needs, interests, and personality is critical to raising them to be confident, compassionate, and well-rounded individuals.
Earlier we talked about what things parents should teach their children before they are 10 years old.
