Verified by Psychology Today

The Minds of Boys and Girls

Bringing Out the Best in Both Sexes

Media
Reality Cloaking: A New Social Disease?

Michael Gurian on January 25, 2021

Part II of this series explores how media and social media work with negativity bias in the brain to further debilitate our children's ability to function safely in the world.

Part II of this series explores how media and social media work with negativity bias in the brain to further debilitate our children's ability to function safely in the world.

Media
Reality Cloaking: A New Social Disease?

Michael Gurian on January 9, 2021

We know social media can be dangerous to us and our children, but could it inflict disease in our brains that led to the attack on Congress?

We know social media can be dangerous to us and our children, but could it inflict disease in our brains that led to the attack on Congress?

Education
21 Strategies for Effective COVID Learning

Michael Gurian on November 13, 2020

The COVID classroom—whether hybrid, in-person, or completely online—is definitely a stressor for families and schools. Here are 21 ways to make it work best.

The COVID classroom—whether hybrid, in-person, or completely online—is definitely a stressor for families and schools. Here are 21 ways to make it work best.

Career
How to Make the COVID Classroom Work for Boys

Michael Gurian on July 22, 2020

Children on average did not do that well in Spring online schooling. Boys were especially hard hit. These 10 strategies are essential for healthy, effective learning this fall.

Children on average did not do that well in Spring online schooling. Boys were especially hard hit. These 10 strategies are essential for healthy, effective learning this fall.

Education
The Long Walk Home

Michael Gurian on June 8, 2020

The problems African-American boys face are profound for all of us. To affect change, we must work on eight fronts. Education is one of those, and change can occur there immediately.

The problems African-American boys face are profound for all of us. To affect change, we must work on eight fronts. Education is one of those, and change can occur there immediately.

Parenting
Is it Always Wrong to Tell a Child to Stop Crying?

Michael Gurian on February 16, 2020

Have you wondered if telling kids to stop crying is always harmful to them? Brain science reveals that "Cry it out" is good, but "Stop crying and solve this" can be good, too.

Have you wondered if telling kids to stop crying is always harmful to them? Brain science reveals that "Cry it out" is good, but "Stop crying and solve this" can be good, too.

Sex
Sex Is Binary, Gender Is Fluid

Michael Gurian on December 12, 2019

Have you heard there is no "male" and "female"? Sex-based differences are crucial to helping our daughters in STEM.

Have you heard there is no "male" and "female"? Sex-based differences are crucial to helping our daughters in STEM.

Trauma
Helping The Stone Boys Heal From Trauma

Michael Gurian on October 10, 2019

Do you know a boy or man who has been traumatized? Proven practical strategies and therapeutic methods can help him heal, grow, and tap into his natural resilience.

Do you know a boy or man who has been traumatized? Proven practical strategies and therapeutic methods can help him heal, grow, and tap into his natural resilience.

Trauma
Why Are So Many of Our Sons "Stone Boys?"

Michael Gurian on October 3, 2019

Have you noticed around you good boys and men who are angry, upset, unable to control impulses, unmotivated, and unable to tell you why? Hidden trauma could be the reason.

Have you noticed around you good boys and men who are angry, upset, unable to control impulses, unmotivated, and unable to tell you why? Hidden trauma could be the reason.

Media
Do We Have the Power to Protect Our Daughters?

Michael Gurian on September 23, 2019

Part I of this blog post looked at the potential severity of social media distress for girls. Part II provides five steps and many practical strategies for protecting girls.

Part I of this blog post looked at the potential severity of social media distress for girls. Part II provides five steps and many practical strategies for protecting girls.

Media
The Power to Protect Our Daughters

Michael Gurian on September 18, 2019

As parents, we feel like we've given up our power in the face of cultural forces, but we must take it back on social media. The science supports us.

As parents, we feel like we've given up our power in the face of cultural forces, but we must take it back on social media. The science supports us.

Play
Using Videogames to Teach Character

Michael Gurian on June 24, 2019

Videogames provide an immersive experience, and it is up to us parents to make sure our sons are able to contextualize what they are seeing and doing while playing them.

Videogames provide an immersive experience, and it is up to us parents to make sure our sons are able to contextualize what they are seeing and doing while playing them.

Health
Masculinity Is Not Our Enemy

Michael Gurian on January 24, 2019

Because masculinity is often mischaracterized in our culture, it is important to challenge popular and academic ideas that skew our understandings of what a healthy male is.

Because masculinity is often mischaracterized in our culture, it is important to challenge popular and academic ideas that skew our understandings of what a healthy male is.

Intelligence
Getting Serious About Girls and STEM

Michael Gurian on November 6, 2018

Exploring issues of nature, nurture, and culture to help educators, parents, and others understand what's needed to engage girls in STEM learning.

Exploring issues of nature, nurture, and culture to help educators, parents, and others understand what's needed to engage girls in STEM learning.

Depression
Diagnosing and Treating Male-Type Depression

Michael Gurian on May 1, 2018

Will we admit that there is something called "male-type depression" and allow ourselves to see beyond a culture-based approach to what causes it?

Will we admit that there is something called "male-type depression" and allow ourselves to see beyond a culture-based approach to what causes it?