Ted Zeff

This book was disappointing. I really wanted to appreciate it, but the best I can do is appreciate that it exists and is decently written. Elaine Aron's The Highly Sensitive Child is much better, more thorough and more specific. In particular, the inclusion here of bioessentialism with regard to brain development (mostly debunked) and hormones was off-putting to say the least. If you have any familiarity with the way that the expectations of American masculinity pressure boys to repress their feelings and act aggressively, you will be able to understand the implications of Elaine Aron's book for your boy. All of the supportive approaches she recommends are necessary, with additional attention to having positive sensitive male role models for boys and explicitly praising and appreciating their gentleness as a strength (as these are areas where culture is harder on boys than girls). Otherwise, advice about school choices, physical environment, advocating with other adults, and assisting with peer relationships all apply.… (mehr)