BOYMOM Reimagining Boyhood in the Age of Impossible Masculinity

Author, narrator, and mother of three sons, Ruth Whippman dives deeply into the complexities of raising boys in an environment in which masculinity has become politicized. With a mix of personal stories and interviews, Whippman, narrating in an English accent, explores how masculine norms deprive boys of connecting with people emotionally and authentically. She examines a boys' school that acknowledges toxic masculinity, a residential program that instills traditional manhood, and an advocacy group for men accused of sexual assault. Whippman doesn't keep her interviewees' voices distinct from her own, sometimes making it difficult for listeners to identify who's who. However, her consistent pacing and frank delivery authentically depict the personal stories of the many men she interviewed. A.K.R. © AudioFile 2024, Portland, Maine [Published: AUGUST 2024]