147 pgs, (paper), ’07

Just For Boys is a group program that addresses the societal pressures on boys to conform to a rigid and traditional definition of masculinity and the resultant health risks. It is based upon a belief that body image disturbances, eating disorders, substance abuse and other such risks are coping mechanisms developed to deal with the personal and societal stressors in boys' lives. Just For Boys helps boys build resilience and teaches them skill so that they can deal with these stressors in a healthy way. It does so by helping boys develop a strong sense-of-self and by teaching emotional literacy, anger management and communication skills. It broadens the definition of what it means to be male and helps boys create a life of balance and interconnectedness.

The Just For Boys manual is divided into 3 main sections which provide you with everything you need to know to facilitate successful groups for boys:
Culture: Provides a framework based upon current theories of brain sex, male development and the impact of socialization on boys. Prevention describes the elements of prevention and the importance of group programs.
Core: Provides a blueprint of the program and helps you get started running a program of your own.
Context: Provides the context, rationale, learning outcomes and activities to address issues facing boys. Module I helps boys build a strong sense of self. Module 2 helps boys expand their range of feelings, develop empathy, learn anger management and communication skills. Module 3 reframes our thinking about obesity to promote Health at Every size, and teaches boys about puberty, genes and metabolism. Module 4 teaches boys about gender roles and stereotypes, broadens the definition of masculinity, and addresses the role of the media in the current drive muscularity and steroid use. Module 5 addresses building support networks, cooperative learning and making a contribution to family and community.

CONTENTS:

1 – Culture
Gender
The Influence of the Brain
The Influence of Culture
Understanding how Boys Interact with the World
The Impact of Socialization
Prevention

2 – Core (the Just For Boys Program)
Core Structure of the Group
Setting-up the Program
Planning Your Sessions
Facilitating Groups for Boys
Evaluation

3 – Context
Developing the Group Agreement
Ice-Breakers
Module 1: I, Me and My Self!
Creating a Strong sense of Self
Module 2: What A Feeling!
Developing Emotional Literacy
Module 3: Wow! What Bodies!
All Shapes and Sizes
Module 4: What A Guy!
Busting the Myths of Masculinity
Module 5: The Best I Can Be!
Creating a Life of Balance and Interconnectedness

4 – Reproducible Handouts

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