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Samantha Hayes ReportingYou've heard it said, 'boys will be boys,' but when it comes to raising young men there is growing concern that a hands-on approach is greatly needed. A new documentary explores the issues of boys falling behind in school and acting out in violent ways.
The documentary is called "Raising Cain," based on the book by the same title and produced by the author Dr. Michael Thompson. You may have seen it run on KUED. The Salt Lake film center showed it tonight and has people talking.
If you have raised both, you know there are distinct differences and challenges for girls and boys. The documentary "Raising Cain" focuses on boys.
Alan Sparrow, Roland Hall St. Marks: “If you look at the statistics, boys don't graduate at the same rate as girls. Girls are going to college at higher rates, they are graduating from college at higher rates. Boys are more involved in violence and gangs and drugs and other things, and you have to ask yourself, something is not going right for boys."
A recent surveillance video captures a teenage boy in Florida beating a homeless man with a baseball bat. It is a horrifying scene and we don't know why he did it, but experts say those images are similar to what is on television and in video games.
Matt Wooley Ph.D, Clinical Psychologist and Panelist: “On the one hand, it's expected to be a little more feminized with how they react and behave. On the other hand, there are lots and lots of images of violence, aggression and anger.”
"Raising Cain" examines how boys express their emotions.
Matt Wooley Ph.D: “A lot of things I see are inability to verbalize and recognize their emotions, and feel comfortable feeling, 'less manly emotions:' scared, afraid, sad, love, those sorts of things.”
The documentary also looks at the absence of strong male figures in boys' lives.
Mark Weisbender, Social Worker and Panelist: “They see their gangs as family. It's the closest emotional connection. They have been through the worse depths of hell and there's a bond that develops between those boys, whether it's on a field of play or a gang on the streets.”
Identifying the problems are the first step, the film also explores ways that may help.
Mark Weisbender: “I think you need to be in tune with your children and their friends and what they are doing.”
"Raising Cain" examines boys from different economic levels and subcultures
