Cool/Manly? Boys Growing into Good and Gorgeous Men.

Abstract

This paper invites counsellors to reflect on ideas about adolescent boys and their relationships with mothers and fathers. The paper responds to ideas circulating at present based on Celia Lashlie's book He'll Be OK: Growing Gorgeous Boys into Good Men (2005). The author raises cautions about general interpretations and conclusions based on what adolescent boys say and do in public contexts. In particular, the author reflects on the ways public contexts, gender categorisations and patriarchal masculinity influence adolescent boys' lives. The paper especially highlights how general interpretations and conclusions reproduce the same cultural stories that contribute to the problems in the lives of adolescent boys and those who love them. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR] Copyright of New Zealand Journal of Counselling is the property of New Zealand Association of Counsellors and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)