365: How I'm Raising An Emotionally Intelligent & Emotionally Capable Son
Recently I\u2019ve spoken out about the crucial importance of cultivating emotional intelligence in young men.\xa0\nThe official definition of emotional intelligence is: the capacity to be aware of, control, and express one's emotions, and to handle interpersonal relationships judiciously and empathetically.\nHistorically, men have not been raised to be emotionally intelligent, emotionally capable or emotionally available.\xa0\nHistorically, we have largely failed to raise men who can handle interpersonal relationships or relationships with their larger communities judiciously and empathetically.\xa0\nHistorically, we have taught men to stuff feelings, dismiss feelings, ignore feelings, and deny feelings.\xa0And the consequences are proving to be dire.\nThere are so many horrific outcomes when we have multiple generations of men who are unable to identify their feelings, express their feelings, and relate to other peoples\u2019 feelings.\xa0\nThe result of generations of poor emotional intelligence among men is rape culture, diet culture, racism, sexism, men policing women\u2019s bodies, rampant struggles with mental health, the addiction epidemic and so much more that we won\u2019t see the full impact of for years to come.\nThis is disturbing and distressing to say the least.\xa0\nAdd to that the numbers and data we\u2019re seeing around mass shootings - largely executed by young, white men - young white men who with known mental health struggles and/or dangerously radical views stemming from a lack of empathy and compassion for others. This is an emotional intelligence crisis.\nThe responsibility of raising an emotionally intelligent young man (a young white man, in my case) in our current landscape is a critical task that cannot be taken lightly.\xa0A number of you have asked me how we can do our very best in raising emotionally intelligent young men - and just how I\u2019m facing this responsibility head-on.\xa0\nIn this episode, I\u2019ll share the 8 things I\u2019m doing to raise an emotionally intelligent, emotionally capable son.\xa0By no means do I think I\u2019m doing it perfectly.\xa0But I think I\u2019m getting a few things right and it\u2019s all worth sharing if it helps any of our young men.\xa0\nThank you to our sponsors:\n\n\nTalkspace: To match with your perfect therapist for a fraction of the price of traditional therapy, go to Talkspace, Make sure to use the code SHAMELESS to get $65 off your first month and show your support for the show.\n\n\nRothy\u2019s: To get free shipping on any order of Rothy\u2019s shoes, as well as free returns, go to Rothy\u2019s and use the code SHAMELESS at checkout.\n\n\nLearn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices