what are little boys are made of? REFLECTION

               In Micheal Kimmel's article, he looks at two different viewpoints on how little boys behave, why the behave this way and if we as a community should focus on changing the behaviors. To make a good argument you always have to do your research on the opposing side. Kimmel gives excuses for little boy's behavior that have been taken from published books. The opposing argument is that little boys are so pumped with testosterone that it would be insane to think that little boys can conform to the ways of little girls (what feminists want). One of the hysterical excuses that Biddulph offers to why boys have a harder time listening is because their ear canals grow in spurts (unlike females) and that when they are having a growth spurt their listening is temporarly blocked. Don't you think that children would complain if they couldnt hear something? I have a strong feeling that nurses and doctors would catch on very quickly if that was the case. Another author, Gurian says that violence is a part of boys everyday lives, that hazing, bar mitzvahs, and military boot camp are all testosterone driven; made for violence and boys. Kimmel jokes at the fact that he has never seen a bar mitzvah turn violent. Michael Kimmel believes that many of these authors are making excuses for boys to not conform with the newer thoughts of society; that men dont have to use violence, and they can bear some sort of emotion.
            From the femminist point of view, they understand the biological differences between boys and girls (including testosterone levels) but they aren't buying it. Statistics from across countries show that the U.S. is leading with violence. What makes the U.S so different from other places if we have the same amount of testosterone and estrogen in us? From the feminist point of view, they are not saying that boys have to stop being rambuncious, super active or stop playing with trucks; they are simply saying that violence doesnt have to be involved. Men and boys are responsible for at least 85% of violence in the U.S. With a changing community, boys no longer have to hold all of their emotions, or be so violent. The main thing that feminists are trying to get across is that you can still be a boy or a man without violence. One of the better advice books that Kimmel has seen was written by a man and a woman together; explaining that changes can happen, and that those who say boys will be boys are not actually helping the situation but worsening it. "Boys will be boys" is giving men and boys the right to be violence, act out, and be uncivilized; hurting the imiage of men and being extremely offensive to those who are trying to change how men are seen.                      I 100% agree that the "boys will be boys" statement is undoing and harming beliefs that may have been set for young boys now. It is not an excuse for someone to act out. I found an article which takes more of the excuse for young men route. It explains to mothers that you have to understand that boys are adventurous and that they need energy releases, unlike girls. I believe that it is completely "boys will be boys" mentality driven.                                 http://www.brainy-child.com/article/boys-behavior.shtml