Wed, Apr. 22 @ 12:00 p.m.–1:00 p.m.
Wed, Apr. 22 @ 12:00 p.m.–1:00 p.m.
Boys today are growing up in a completely different world, and much of it is happening out of sight. Early exposure to porn. Immersive gaming. Constant access to screens.
These forces are shaping how boys understand relationships, connection and identity, often before they have the emotional tools to make sense of them. And in the face of earlier puberty, with its rising and falling testosterone levels, the combination can appear as withdrawal, shutdown or sudden distance.
In this eye-opening ParentEd Talk, pediatrician and The New York Times bestselling author Dr. Cara Natterson — the doctor behind American Girl’s “The Care and Keeping of You” and “Guy Stuff” series (8 million copies in print), “Decoding Boys” and “This Is So Awkward”— unpacks what’s really driving boys’ behavior. Drawing on decades of clinical experience, she explains why boys often retreat during adolescence, what’s happening in their brains and bodies long before parents see the visible signs, and how families can stay connected through the transition.
If you feel like your son is pulling away and you’re not sure why, this conversation will help you understand what’s happening and what to do next.
You’ll learn:
- Why boys go quiet during puberty, and what it really means
- How development starts earlier than most parents expect
- How to navigate screens, social pressures and emotional changes with confidence
About the speaker
Cara Natterson, M.D., is a pediatrician, speaker and The New York Times bestselling author of multiple parenting and health books, including “The Care and Keeping of You,” (6+ million copies in print), “Guy Stuff” and “Decoding Boys.” She is cohost of the podcast This Is So Awkward, helping parents navigate puberty and adolescence with clarity and confidence.
A graduate of Harvard University and Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, Natterson trained in pediatrics at the University of California, San Francisco. She later founded Worry Proof Consulting, a practice dedicated to helping parents address their most pressing concerns, and has been featured on NPR.
