I hoped to read this book and gain a better understanding of the emotional needs of raising a son. What I received was highly offensive material that probably had a place in our moralistic views over 50 years ago, but do not apply in today's age.While I understand that books are strictly opionions expressed on paper, I thought that I might find a more useful tool from this gentleman who holds a Ph.D. I am a mother and I found myself gasping several times during this book - I just could not believe that he had the audacity to write some of these idiacies. To papraphrase one quote, "boys should not act goofy. Woman will not follow a male who displays this characteristic".In closing, I highly sympathize with Dr. Dobson's wife and daughter. I cannot imagine living with someone who has such a narrow perspective. He should not claim to be an expert on the subject of child-rearing.