Search - Raising Cain: Exploring the Inner Lives of America's Boys on DVD

A must-see for anyone parenting boys!

K. Corn | Indianapolis,, IN United States | 01/23/2006

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Even if you've read the book, don't miss the chance to see this, recently featured on public television stations across the country. It is a real eyeopener and demonstrates HOW and WHY boys are being shortchanged by both our educational system (a primary focus of the documentary)as well as by society and by stereotypes.
I watched this one with my husband and two sons and they were soon talking excitedly about how "true" the documentary was, how they got it "right" and how they'd captured the very real challenges and heartbreaking experiences of trying to fit into an eductional system which isn't geared to the unique traits and abilities of boys.
Agree or not, this one will get you thinking and raises some interesting points such as:

1. Girls tend to read earlier than boys and are more verbal than boys.

2. Smart boys tend to blossom in all male schools but are generally squelched in schools where both genders are in the same classrooms.

3. Intelligent boys may "pretend" to be stupid in order to appear cool or to avoid teasing from other kids.

4. EVERY boy needs to master some skill. Athletic ability seems to be the first choice but if a male isn't athletically skilled, music or other abilities can help fill the gap.

But this movie goes far beyond the few points I've brought up. A major feature is the close-up view of several individuals, each of them offering a different perspective on being male in our society. I also like the fact that the film focuses on both elementary school boys and high school students, devoting about 1/2 the documentary to each age.

Absolutely a MUST for parents, teachers and anyone interested in raising happy, productive young males."

Must see

T. wilcox | toronto | 02/09/2006

(5 out of 5 stars)

"ALL Mom's and Dad's raising boys should see this! It is a GREAT documentary, well done and in a VERY professional style PBS is famous for. You may not agree with everything they show or that they have to say, but if you watch this video, and if you have boys to raise, you will FOR SURE gain some new insight from this, I promise.

I found it VERY interesting and particularily informative about young boys (ages 4-5-6) and games of guns and fanatasy violence and death and shooting, this is covered very well and very Mom should see this to understand the issue of boys and fanatasy violence play and games they all like that involve shooting and toy guns.

(Its not a big deal really, so says the Ph.D. author, and as long as boys have the ability to understand that no one gets really hurt in the real life play, and that the violence and shooting is all just pretend it largely deemed by this author to be "OK" and largely overlooked so long as there is no bullying and no actual violence, playing with toy guns and games of death and shooting and violence are just pretend and that it should be understood to be "ok" and normal for young kindergarden age boys.)"

One of the best documentaries I've seen

Quilmiense | USA/Spain | 06/07/2007

(5 out of 5 stars)

"This is about how bad we raise our kids in the West. If you wonder what's going wrong today with our kids: they've become so violent, so hyper, so emotionally immature while sexually precocious, you shouldn't look very far. Look at their environment. See who's around in the streets and in their homes. Bad influences in the street? Yes. No father figure at home? For sure. Rich parents who spoil their kids by "buying" their love? Plenty. Busy parents who trust money will do the job of raising? Mostly. Now how on earth can these kids ever develop their brains, grow mentally, aquire a culture, if we are still bustling with environmental (out-of-school) problems?

All the violence and sex that floods our society has to reflect on our kids behavior. It's normal that the violence they see, and suffer, out there impacts them so much that they mainly try to survive in the jungle of peer pressure and street gangs. It's just too much.

This documentary is concise, right on target. It gives no concessions to political correctness and is straight common sense. A breeze of fresh air amid all the babble from administrators and pedagogues. Straight talk. Higly recommended. Besides, it's very entertaining, high quality image, and engrossing from the go.

It'll do you good. Watch it."

Rating the DVD Raising Cain

Teresa Cole | 03/23/2006

(5 out of 5 stars)

"A very interesting and informative look at boys. If you have a son or sons, you need to see this."