Whisker Rubs.

Whisker Rubs

Don S. Otis

Veritas Communications

PO Box 761, Sandpoint, ID 83864

9780899571171, $19.99

Psychosocial rehabilitation specialist Don S. Otis presents Whisker Rubs: Developing the Masculine Identity, a manifesto about the obstacles today's postmodern society places upon young boys on the road to manhood, as well as adult men who have their masculinity derided, the importance of their roles as fathers and husbands lampooned by popular culture, and an endless smorgasbord of hedonistic cultural affirmations pulling them away from the qualities of faith, responsibility, and maturity vital to being a man and a capable father. Though Whisker Rubs is from a Christian perspective and affirms the importance of knowing God, its primary focus is a strong message to readers of all religious backgrounds: it's important to let boys be boys, and acknowledge their need for activity, challenge (often physical challenge), and to test themselves in a true adventure. It is also critical for boys to have positive guidance from their fathers and male role models to steer them on a a responsible, disciplines path and away from pitfalls ranging from narcissism to timidity to outright criminal behavior. Further chapters also explore the crushingly high divorce rate in America, and what factors constitute a successful marriage as well as what erodes an unsuccessful marriage. "Most men are romantics. They want the whole package every bit as much as woman do. There is just one problem: there is no perfect person. In fact, there is no perfect relationship because there is no completely unselfish person. Nor is there anyone who can perfectly fulfill every need, want, or desire a man has." A straight-talking antidote to today's ambivalent, amorphous culture that downplays both the needs and the responsibilities of boys and men.