Author to discuss why boys are struggling and how to help

Acclaimed author Rosalind Wiseman’s new book, “Masterminds and Wingmen: Helping Your Son Cope with Schoolyard Power, Locker-Room Tests, Girlfriends and the New Rules of Boy World,” will highlight a “Navigating Healthy Families” discussion as part of the Glenbard Parent Series.

Organized by Glenbard High School District 87, the parent series tackles issues relating to raising teens. The session with Wiseman begins at 7 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 19, in the auditorium at Glenbard North High School, 990 N. Kuhn Road, Carol Stream.

Wiseman’s presentation is a call to action to transform the way we speak to and about boys. After 20 years of teaching teens and two years of working with more than 200 teen editors to write “Masterminds and Wingmen,” Wiseman gives insights into what matters most to boys — their friendships, girls, and their relationships with adults.

She’ll pull back the curtain on what’s really going on between boys and girls and why they can be so reluctant to ask adults for help. Wiseman will share how boys’ and girls’ social group dynamics influence their interactions and offer step-by-step advice on how to teach young people to treat each other with dignity.

She’ll also give common sense suggestions about how to deal with the frequent struggles between boys and their parents — from video games and social networking to communication breakdowns. By the end of the presentation, Wiseman establishes a road map for parents, educators and communities to reach boys and help them grow into the best sons, brothers, friends, students, athletes and boyfriends they can be.

Wiseman worked for two years with middle school and high school boys to write “Masterminds and Wingmen,” exploring their complicated, emotional world.

What she learned is important because research shows that boys in the United States are struggling. Boys commit suicide at five times the rate of girls, do worse in school, have more social problems, and are less likely to attend college.

Boys feel pain and need support just as much as girls, but they’re far more likely to hide their feelings, claim everything is “fine,” and believe that adult involvement will only make their lives worse.

“Masterminds and Wingmen” helps expose boys’ thoughts on everything from cliques and social hierarchy to dealing with lying (research shows that 96 percent of all kids lie to their parents), to social networking, to problems with girls.

“Masterminds and Wingmen” provides the tools to help boys develop a more positive, authentic and strong sense of self.

Anderson’s Bookshops is co-sponsoring the free event with Glenbard High School District 87 and the Glenbard Parent Series. No registration is required. Students are also encouraged to attend.

For information on the Glenbard Parent Series, call (630) 942-7573.

If you go

What: Parent discussion on boys with author Rosalind Wiseman

When: 7 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 19

Where: Glenbard North High School, 990 N. Kuhn Road, Carol Stream

Cost: Free

Info: (630) 942-7573