Man Up
How do Boys Become Better Men?

Rebecca Asher

Average Rating 7/10 (1 Review)

What does it mean to be a man today? Much is being done to change negative female stereotypes but we still expect that big boys don’t cry, strong and silent types get the girl, and that there is such a thing as a ‘real man’.

Man Up challenges the accepted rules of masculinity. It confronts the reasons why boys are three times more likely than girls to be suspended from school, four times more likely to have behavioural difficulties, and why men make up 75% of suicides and 95% of prisoners.

From babyhood through school and adolescence, to work and relationships, fatherhood and friendships in old age, Man Up investigates the unique difficulties boys and men encounter. Through uplifting testimony, fascinating research and real-life case studies, this book shows that change is possible and that there is room for men and boys to find greater fulfilment and happiness.

Urgent, eye-opening and proactive, Man Up seeks to free men from unhealthy and limiting cultural expectations, for the benefit of everyone.

'A powerful, thought-provoking call to arms.'

'Timely and necessary ... populated by thoughtful interviewees, many of whom are trying to change things.'

Review by Ben Macnair (310119) Rating (7/10)

Review by Ben Macnair
Book Source: Not Known
Rating 7/10
In these times of #MeToo, high profile scandals involving a lot of people in the public eye, and more noted levels of toxic masculinity, Man Up by Rebecca Asher is a timely, well researched study into the issue of where traditional male behaviour fits in the world.

The book looks at the issue that are facing the ideal and concept of what makes masculinity. So the books studies the main stage of life, from schools, the teenage years and adolescence, to masculinity in the work-place, father-hood, friendships between men at all stages in life, and the traditional male bonding activities, and how they shift and change in time.

Using a lot of scientific studies to back up her findings, Rebecca Asher puts forward a number of theories and ideas, about what masculinity is, and how it has changed in the internet era. As a deputy editor on Woman’s Hour, she will be aware that many of these issues are becoming more prevalent, with the easier spreading of new stories, and right-wing and left wing publications and political bodies taking opposing sides on the issue.

However, the book is not about what is happening now, it is about changing how things might be in the future, and how do boys find their ways to being good men, so how we treat Boys and Girls at school is something of an issue, with boys falling behind in academic circles, whilst their behaviour can lead exclusion and expulsion, or their prospects in the job market as a result of this.

The book is not really a call to arms, as the studies used only look at how things have been, rather than looking at how they could be, but the book is an interesting and informative read with plenty to say, for both genders, about the challenges that face the human-race as a whole.
Ben Macnair (31st January 2019)