Every time there’s another horrifying story about the way men treat women, it leads to another conversation about how to raise boys – a conversation that’s usually about the men we don’t* *want them to become.
Don’t be cruel. Don’t be entitled. Don’t confuse aggression with strength, or mistake dominance for respect. Don’t treat other human beings as objects or ignore boundaries or stay silent when you see someone getting hurt.
Basically, don’t become the kind of man who thinks the world revolves around him.
I think about this all the time. Our boys are six and almost three, and right now they are the sweetest, most sensitive, thoughtful little kids. Emily and I would do anything for them to stay that way. I’m sure most parents would. No one sets out to raise boys who become bad men.
But even when they’re young, you quickly realize that you can’t predict, much less control, every person, idea, or situation your kids are exposed to…