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The Minds of Boys:

Saving Our Sons from Falling Behind in School and Life

Michael Gurian
Jossey-Bass Publishers
c. 2005

The latest buzz in the book world is Oprah getting ‘duped’ for believing A Million Little Pieces to be a true story. And it seems James Frey is not the only one trying to pass fiction as memoir. In the book The Minds of Boys: Saving Our Sons from Falling behind in School and Life, Michael Gurian is attempting to sell a collection of academic anecdotes as real science.

The Premise

Gurian’s introduction clearly outlines the purposes of this book: to illustrate his theory concerning “the male learning style” and to offer a “practical guide” for use in helping boys learn, achieve in school and succeed in life. Problem is he doesn’t deliver. First, the “male learning style” is not once clearly defined. It’s hinted at with broad, stereotypical strokes of ‘boy behavior’ as always on the go, unable to sit long enough to learn and as male athletes being concerned only with their performance on the field. Since his “practical guide” addresses only this “learning style”, it’s not a “shoo-in” for all boys since all boys do not behave in the ways he outlines.

The Problem

Michael Gurian is not a scientist, nor does he claim to be. Indeed, he’s a self-professed “therapist, educator, philosopher, author.” And it’s under these monikers that his book could work. I’m sure many “parents, teachers and policymakers” to whom he pleads his case would welcome practical suggestions for re-engaging reluctant learners. But to claim his work is a scientific approach to the study of the human brain is – at least – a disservice to trusting readers and – at most – setting a potentially dangerous precedent reminiscent of the Eugenics Movement of the early 20th century. Many of the shaded Did you know? “facts” scattered throughout the chapters are not even cited and those few that are rarely come from a primary source of scientific research. Even his claim of “cross cultural” studies should evoke suspicion since Gurian’s work only refers to boys from the U.S., Canada and Australia; hardly a spectrum of cultural diversity.

The Positives

But just as some readers argue that Pieces, whether fact or fiction, is still a ‘good read’; I will concede there are some valid points in Gerian’s book. American schools aren’t delivering for all students – male or female – and something should be done. He argues well the necessity for parents and schools to establish partnerships in the education of “our” kids, and no educator would disagree with him that the “heart” of education is “success for all children”. He also clearly addresses the need for a variety of teaching strategies to reach reluctant and disengaged learners and offers several practical ideas which are readily usable.

The Last Word

I don’t doubt that some of his anecdotes will ring true with readers who may be inspired to try his ideas. I’ve been teaching sixteen years and am always looking for new approaches to reach kids. But the premise that the entire educational system needs to be revamped to address the (so far, unproven) inherent brain differences in males and females is simply ludicrous.

First appeared in the NYSAEA newsletter in March 2006

All speeches and articles are copyrighted by, and are the property of, Laurie Thurston, and may not be reprinted without permission of the author.