Motivate Your Son

Why Boys Are Struggling Academically—and What Parents Need to Know

The title of my first book grew out of several thousand hours working with students who were underperforming. Both girls and boys faced challenges, but in my notes one pattern appeared repeatedly: boys dominated the category where motivation was the central issue.

As I continued researching the topic, the literature confirmed what I was seeing in real time. A significant shift was underway:

• Girls were excelling in school at higher rates.

• Boys were falling behind academically and socially.

• Admission trends at selective colleges began to reflect the same pattern.

Within a few years, families working with experienced college counselors began hearing quiet but accurate guidance: being male slightly increased admission odds because the applicant pool had become so imbalanced.

The Pandemic Re-Exposed the Problem

Recent years brought this issue back into focus. Disruption, isolation, and inconsistent schooling affected many students, but boys—on average—showed deeper setbacks in motivation, organization, and engagement. Parents across Connecticut and beyond now report a familiar concern: bright boys who seem unmoored or disengaged.

My view: the gap is real, and early support makes a meaningful difference in reversing it.

If Your Son Is Struggling, Support Is Available

When boys lose direction, the consequences can cascade quickly: lower grades, diminished confidence, and fewer opportunities. With targeted guidance—academic, motivational, and developmental—they often rebound far more quickly than parents expect.

If your son is floundering, we can help him regain structure, confidence, and momentum