What's a Parent's Role?

Take our Authoritative Parenting Test

Find a family therapist near me

Assemble a roster of good men to support your son.

Avoid scolding and let your son know you're listening.

Authentically express skepticism about toxic ideas.

One mother whom I recently spoke with told me her 9-year-old son was already familiar with the manosphere. She, like many parents, had watched Louis Theroux: Inside the Manosphere on Netflix and was mortified. This wonderful mother was understandably alarmed and wanted to know exactly what she should be doing to guide her son. Here's what I told her:

Engage in conversation with your son and practice active listening. When we are afraid, it's easy to slip into lecturing and scolding. This is understandable — we fear bad outcomes for our sons. But these boys do not benefit from mockery or criticism, and shaming them is unhelpful. What does help is an attitude of genuine care. When you can,........

© Psychology Today