by Wendy Wong HARVARD’S ONGOING STUDY OF ADULT DEVELOPMENT poses a profound question: “What is the most important factor that contributes to a person’s physical health, mental health and longevity?” The answer is clear: Meaningful relationships. RAISING CONNECTED BOYS IN A DISCONNECTED WORLD HOW CATHEDRAL BUILDS BELONGING AND EMPATHY HABITS OF CHARACTER
Yet today’s boys and young men face obstacles that make it harder than ever to build those connections. Rigid definitions of masculinity, the pervasive influence of technology, and a widening gender divide all threaten boys’ abilities to forge the deep and sustaining relationships that are essential to a fulfilling life. INSPIRED BY “BOYMOM” Last summer I read BoyMom: Reimagining Boyhood in the Age of Impossible Masculinity by Ruth Whippman. The book raised urgent questions about the world in which boys are growing up. I wondered: “How can parents support their sons in navigating these
challenges?” As I explored this question, it became clear to me that no family can tackle these issues in isolation. These issues are cultural and systemic, and they require a collective response. That realization led me to reach out to Lukas Rahlson, Director of Upper School at CONNECTION IS NOT AN ABSTRACT GOAL; IT IS A DAILY PRACTICE, AND IT MATTERS PROFOUNDLY IN THE LIVES OF BOYS.
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CATHEDRAL SCHOOL FOR BOYS
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