Vendor
	Mohrbooks Literary Agency Sebastian Ritscher
Original language
English
Categories
Sex & sexuality, social aspects

BREAKING THE MALE CODE

Rob Garfield

Unlocking the Power of Friendship

Calling for a new man’s movement, a noted psychotherapist and expert on male emotional intimacy draws on his forty-plus years of experience to examine the critical role same-sex friendship plays in helping men develop the emotional skills necessary for their relationships to thrive in an ever-changing world.

For much of the past century, men have operated under the rules of Male Code, a rigid set of rules guiding their behavior that equate masculinity with stoicism, silence, and strength. Over the past few decades, as society has experienced seismic economic and societal shifts that have forced men to take on new roles within their families and relationships, this lack of emotional skills has wreaked havoc on men’s lives. In attempting to reconcile traditional views of masculinity with the modern call to step up as fathers, husbands, and sons, men are increasingly likely to suffer from depression, anger, and feelings of isolation, and, because they have not learned how to communicate or express their emotions effectively, they are unable to connect with others—spouses, children, and friends—who could provide support.

Rob Garfield has worked with men struggling with emotional issues for more than twenty years. In his groundbreaking “Friendship Labs,” clinical settings in which men engage in group therapy, he teaches men how to identify inner conflicts, express emotions, and communicate openly. According to Garfield, traditional therapy has largely marginalized men since they lack the tools to properly engage. But when men learn to open up to other men who share similar experiences, backgrounds, and perspectives, they not only build lasting bonds but learn the skills necessary to thrive in all aspects of their lives.

In this important and timely book, Garfield examines the unique challenges men face and urges them to abandon male code in favor of a masculinity that embraces male traits while championing emotional skills. He urges men to deepen their relationships with other men and shows how these relationships can help them in all areas of their lives. He also offers a step-by-step guide to initiating and deepening these relationships using the Four C’s of intimacy—connection, communication, commitment, and co-operation.

Rob Garfield is a psychotherapist and clinical professor in the Department of Psychiatry at the University of Pennsylvania. An engaging speaker, he has presented his work on men’s friendships to both lay and professional audiences and published numerous articles on the subject of male emotional intimacy.

Available products
Book Published 2015-05-12 by Avery
Book Published 2015-05-12 by Avery

Comments

Breaking the Male Code is a book that can change lives. Garfield’s broad knowledge of men’s lives, their struggles, doubts and perseverance, coupled with their often unfulfilled wish to connect with other men, is evident on every page. Men will read this work and recognize themselves.

For men, developing close friends is a daunting task. With warmth and empathy, Rob Garfield takes on the task of helping us to overcome our stereotypes about maleness and our often incomplete definition of friendship so that men can relate to each other in an intimate way. With both real-life anecdotes and knowledge gained from years as a successful therapist, Rob helps us through the fears and struggles of establishing close male friendships and provides a clear path forward.

A compelling book that goes to the heart of male loneliness and points the way toward deeper and more fulfilling friendships in men’s lives.

Dr. Garfield explains why emotional intimacy is a rare quality in male friendships and offers a clear road map for men to forge deeper connections. His style is warm, engaging, and user-friendly. I suspect that countless wives will put this book on their husband’s bedside table.

Breaking the Male Code has the potential to be among every therapist’s best friend in terms of what they’ll want to recommend to their male clients.

In this rewarding self-help book, Garfield guides men through the whys and practical hows of developing fulfilling male friendships...It’s hard to imagine a guy’s guy picking this book up, but if he were assigned to read it, he’d be surprised—it contains an empathetic, approachable, skills-driven guide to an invaluable reward.

In this wonderfully readable book, Dr. Robert Garfield brings his extensive knowledge and rich experience to show how men think and feel about their relationships with other men. Breaking the Male Code delivers a powerful and hopeful message, one that provides men of all ages with the skills necessary to enjoy deep and fulfilling relationships with each other. This book has the potential to dramatically improve all the important relationships in men’s lives!

Remember how Thoreau said that men ‘lead lives of quiet desperation?’ If only he'd read Rob Garfield's book! He'd understand not only why they're desperate, but also how to address their needs. A vital message about men's emotional needs, offered with care, thought, and great compassion.

Rob Garfield knows that the cure for what ails men is intimacy—connection to themselves and others. With compassion and wit, he shows men, step to step, how to move beyond the strictures of male code into the richness of an open heart. Both practical and moving, Breaking The Male Code belongs on the shelf of every man wanting to grow, and every clinician dedicated to helping.

His message is solid, and the end results are better relationships for men with other men and women.

Garfield does a superb job of revealing the obstacles to intimacy in men’s friendships as well as providing a detailed guide on how to build such friendships. Linking the theoretical with the practical, this book will be extremely useful for men everywhere.