Why boys are always moving around

Michael Gurian, MFA, CMHC Family Counselor, shares advice for parents on the reasons why young boys always seem to be moving around and bumping more
Raising Boys | Why Adolescent Boys Are Always Moving Around
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Why boys are always moving around

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Your adolescent boys may be doing some things that confuse you. Some of it is related to their hormones. Some of it is related to the way their brain is set up. One example is aggression. By aggression, I don't mean violence, I just mean that they are bumping and they are moving and one-upping each other. They are doing a hierarchy with each other. It can seem alien, especially if you are a mom and you weren't brought up with brothers. It can seem alien, but actually it's developing a lot of who they are. They are learning character. They are learning to be strong. They are learning to be empathic. Testosterone is a big reason. A lot of the behaviors you're seeing is testosterone. It's not just testosterone related to -- Well, testosterone is going to make you violent. That's not it. Testosterone is an aggression chemical that floods through, especially the right side of a male brain and the systems that effect the spatial part of the male brain, which means the movement part, the person moving around in space. That hormone and that part of the brain activates so that males tend to move around and tend to bump more. they will tend to do the hierarchy more. People think, "Well, they are not learning anything." Actually, they are learning how to be adults from their own point of view.

Michael Gurian, MFA, CMHC Family Counselor, shares advice for parents on the reasons why young boys always seem to be moving around and bumping more

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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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