Three stages of psychological development of boys that parents need to pay attention to

Stage 1: From birth to 6 years old

Regardless of gender, children want to be played with, talked to, and held by their parents. Basically, they want their parents' attention. As they grow older, boys explore the world around them through many activities and need their parents' help.

Research by social psychologist Erich Fromm points to the important role parents play in the early development of boys. Here are some of the things he notes:

If a mother is depressed, the child will also be affected, because love of life is passed from mother to child.

Boys need the attention of both parents, with the mother often taking on the more caring and nurturing role. Through the mother’s love, the child will build self-confidence.

Fathers are often the authority figures in this stage of development, and are the role models for children to emulate. Children learn both good and bad qualities from their fathers.

A mother always loves her child unconditionally, but a father's love is a little different, only expressed when the child acts well and behaves properly. This is how the child learns about morality and basic rules. If this balance is lost, the child can become selfish, only loves himself, and has no empathy for others.

Starting from the age of 2, mothers need to set boundaries in their relationship with their sons to avoid complications due to gender differences.

Stage 2: From 6 to 13 years old

This is the age when boys are clearly aware of their gender and participate in related activities. Psychologist Dr. Peggy Drexler considers the following points to be most important in raising boys at this age:

Don’t try to stop your child from playing naughty, aggressive games; instead, face the fact that these are his hobbies. Parents should promote masculinity in their children by encouraging independence and adventure. If a child wants to play with a toy gun or a violent video game, he will find a way to play it, even if his parents forbid it.

Let your child express his own personality, because there is no exact definition of "boy". Masculinity is expressed in many ways, and of course, liking feminine activities should be respected.

Encourage your son to participate in a variety of activities, instead of expecting him to have the same interests as you. The child's life will be enriched and he will have more choices.

Don't set too many expectations based on gender. Boys who are not bound by many gender responsibilities will be more independent, open and tolerant than their peers.

Teach children how to deal with criticism and how to stand up for themselves without being too aggressive.

Stage 3: 14 years and older

This is the stage where your little boy becomes a teenager. Hormonal changes can make boys more irritable and aggressive than before. The solution for parents is to try to "steer" this energy in the right direction.

In addition, you need to teach your son to take responsibility for his actions. Responsibility is something that must be learned, not naturally acquired. According to psychologist Steven Stosny, parents should help their children understand an important truth: rights and responsibilities always go hand in hand and influence each other. If the rights are high, the responsibilities are also high.

Your child needs to be given the opportunity to establish his or her own personality and identity. David Elkind, a professor of child development, believes that parents should let their children be more independent than before, unless they see their children hanging out with the wrong crowd.

To guide your child's behavior, parents must set rules from the beginning, what is allowed and what is not allowed, and the punishment for violations. Otherwise, it will be difficult to explain to your child.

The most important thing for parents to remember is to be a role model for their children. If you tell your children one thing but your behavior shows another, you will fail in raising them.