You all know I’ve devoted my life to understanding how teenage girls develop. Today though,  I’m shifting my focus to the topic of raising boys. Men are put in a very difficult place in our society these days. We want them to be vulnerable, yet tell them to man up when they cry. We want them to be warm but we friendzone them when they’re too soft. Men are challenged to walk on a fine line and their mental health is bearing the difficulty of this right now. Finally, the rate of depression in men is being acknowledged. So, if we want more for our boys and families and life, we have to teach young boys how to do better and offer more flexibility in who they become.

The upcoming few episodes will all be around the topic of raising boys. And we’re starting this mini-series off today with a rewind episode of my interview with Jason Frishman, Psy.D., about fatherhood as social activism. I believe that what he has to say about fatherhood can ground us in this conversation about raising boys because fathers are many times the role models in our boys’ lives.

“Men need a community in a much broader and deeper way
than we’ve ever really acknowledged.“ 
– Jason Frishman

Fatherhood

What does fatherhood mean to you?

Inter-generationally and culturally, we’ve passed down gender roles but things are changing and we find ourselves at a massive turning point. As a society, we’re redefining what it means to be a man, a father.

Jason specializes in helping boys, men, and families and created the Journeyman Foundation. This coaching group for fathers, helps men improve their connections with their families and give them the tools and strategies for the adventure of parenthood.

In this episode on fatherhood, we cover:

  • How the stories we grew up with shaped our view on fatherhood and masculinity;
  • Redefining what it means to be a father;
  • Why it’s harder for men/fathers to find a community in which they can discuss these topics;
  • The similarities and differences between motherhood and fatherhood from a cultural point of view;
  • The importance of the small things for you and your family;
  • How and why this all falls under social activism;
  • And so much more!

You can find our podcast Active and Connected Families wherever you listen to your podcasts, or easily click the links below to listen:

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More about Virginia Family Therapy

Virginia Family Therapy is a mental health practice serving individuals, families, and our community. VFT is designed to help people at all stages and from all walks of life by offering therapists and physicians with diverse backgrounds and specialties via face-to-face, walk-and-talk, and telemedicine appointments. Throughout, we are committed to developing strengths-based, authentic, and long-lasting relationships with you and your children. We hope to provide you with the support and insight you need to help your family navigate life’s hard times and joys.

Are you or your child struggling with mental health? We have a team of psychologists and psychiatrists who can help you out. You can learn more about our practice or contact us here.

More about Jason Frishman, Psy.D.

Jason has been working for over 20 years to support individuals, groups, families, organizations and businesses. Whether as a psychotherapist, workshop facilitator, speaker, or narrative consultant, His message rings consistently clear: Our lives are adventurous and we can author our own adventure stories!

A series of meaningful coincidences and choices led Jason to meet his wife and finally move to Vermont, two lifelong dreams! In Vermont, he worked at the state’s largest hospital, opened a local food company, mastered the art of bulk soup production, studied a Brazilian martial art, began teaching traditional food preservation classes, had two beautiful sons, began to use storytelling for change and joined a cooperative psychotherapy practice in downtown Burlington.

Jason is excited to bring over two decades of work in offices, institutions, kitchens,
farmer’s markets, woodlots and boardrooms to wild new venues. His offerings include individual and group online coaching programs for good dads, workshops and trainings.

Resources and links mentioned in this episode

Disclaimer: Please remember we are real live therapists, however this is a podcast and is not considered a therapy session. Not only because there is no co-pay but also because we can’t speak to your individual experiences. We are here to help you keep raising healthy kids. And remember, if you are an imperfect parent, we are right there with you. If you or someone you love is in immediate danger, please call your local crisis hotline or go to your nearest emergency room.