You Could Say That It...
'Drives the Bus'...
What does the normal testosterone hormone have to do with it?
Boys Will Be Boys…and that is so different from girls!
But what does that have to do with male testosterone?!
While it is risky to generalize about genders, science is proving over and over that boys and girls really are different!
Understanding Testosterone Will Help To Understand Male Behavior
More than just a growth hormone...it affects mood and energy...producing boisterous, energetic behavior and a need for competition and hierarchies. It boosts self-confidence, self-reliance, risk-taking and single-mindedness. Recognizing, nurturing and valuing these qualities in our boys is essential!
Through the Years...
For a short period of time, in utero, seven weeks to be exact, boys and girls are actually the same!The Y chromosome is an ‘add-on’ chromosome that begins to act and gives the boy what he needs. As Steve Biddulph says in his book, Raising Boys, “A male is a female with optional extras. That’s why everyone has nipples, though not everyone needs them.”
When the Y chromosome stirs, the testosterone hormone starts being made. By 15 weeks, testicles are fully developed and start to make extra testosterone.
At birth: A boy has as much testosterone in his body as he’ll have at age 12!Two months after birth: Testosterone hormone levels equalize and remain the same as girls throughout the toddler years. Age 4: A surge brings levels to nearly double. This leads to increased interest in action, adventure and vigorous play. Age 5: Hormone levels drop by half and the boy equalizes again and stays similar to girls. Age 11-13: Now levels rise sharply (eventually to 800% over the toddler levels!) and systems need to be ‘rewired’ to accommodate this sudden growth. This causes boys of this age to be disorganized and goofy for many months. Age 14: Levels reach their peak, body muscle increases, voices change and sexual feelings, restlessness and risk-taking urges are strong. IQ is also affected – boys catch up with girls in written & verbal ability and surge ahead in mathematical ability. Mid-20s: While levels remain high, his body has gotten adjusted to them. Surges of creative energy, love of competition, desire to achieve and to be protective can be channeled into activities and career choices that will bring life-long satisfaction. The 40s: Levels begin to decline, although there is still enough to endow him with high cholesterol, baldness and hairy ears! He has less to prove and mellows into quiet leadership, steady friendships and may even go for days without thinking about sex!
For more about Boys and Testosterone, I recommend the following books:
- Raising Boys by Steve Biddulph
- The Good Son (and other titles) by Michael Gurian
- Why Gender Matters by Dr. Leonard Sax
Understanding is the key to compassion and gives us the ability to shape a supportive and nurturing environment for our boys. It is our job to understand the role this hormone plays in our boy's development. And it is our job to guide all of the amazing gifts of boys into healthy directions so they can thrive!
Learn more about how you can effectively parent your boy. Knowing that all of his behavior is actually useful in some context can help to shift your approach and deepen your relationship with your boy.
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