Encouraging strong morals in boys

Family Counselor & Author, Michael Gurian, MFA shares advice for parents on the importance of teaching morality and emotional development to boys and how to teach it to them
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Encouraging strong morals in boys

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Few things are more important with any child than moral development. And with boys, there can be often a confusion about it, because we tend to think a lot about emotional development and we tend to forget that moral development is as important. And I would make the controversial argument that character development is really the umbrella and emotional development for boys goes under character development. And here I am in the counseling field and usually we're supposed to talk about emotional development. But for boys, I would argue that character development is where emotion comes. And so what I mean by that is that a boy who doesn't know what he's supposed to do, what his objective is, and it can be a broad objective, what his purpose in life is, which are all issues of character, is going to have a lot of difficulty to understand where he's supposed to put his emotions. And so, if you have questions about morality or character or ethics, these are all jelled together in our culture. Think character development, think honor, responsibility, empathy, how are we developing these in our son? And purpose, how are we guiding him toward a purpose in life? If he finds that he's going to find the people that will teach him emotionality and he's going to find the people who will teach him morality. And it's going to be very much about the personnel that help him move toward a life of purpose.

Family Counselor & Author, Michael Gurian, MFA shares advice for parents on the importance of teaching morality and emotional development to boys and how to teach it to them

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Michael Gurian, MFA, CMHC

Family Counselor & Author

Michael Gurian is the New York Times bestselling author of 25 books published in 21 languages. He provides counseling services at the Marycliff Center, in Spokane, Washington. The Gurian Institute, which he co-founded, conducts research internationally, launches pilot programs and trains professionals. Michael has been called "the people's philosopher" for his ability to bring together people's ordinary lives and scientific ideas.

 He has pioneered efforts to bring neuro-biology and brain research into homes, schools, corporations, and public policy. A number of his books have sparked national debate, including The Wonder of Girls, The Wonder of Boys, and Boys and Girls Learn Differently!, and The Minds of Boys.



Michael has served as a consultant to families, corporations, therapists, physicians, school districts, community agencies, churches, criminal justice personnel and other professionals, traveling to approximately 20 cities per year to keynote at conferences. His training videos (also available as DVDs) for parents and volunteers are used by Big Brother and Big Sister agencies in the U.S. and Canada.

 As an educator, Michael previously taught at Gonzaga University, Eastern Washington University, and Ankara University.  His speaking engagements include Harvard University, Johns Hopkins University, Stanford University, Macalester College, University of Colorado, University of Missouri-Kansas City, and UCLA. His philosophy reflects the diverse cultures (European, Asian, Middle Eastern and American) in which he has lived, worked and studied.

Michael's work has been featured in various media, including the New York Times, the Washington Post, USA Today, Newsweek, Time, People Magazine, Reader's Digest, the Wall Street Journal, Forbes Magazine, Parenting, Good Housekeeping, Redbook, and on the Today Show, Good Morning America, CNN, PBS and National Public Radio.

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