Youth workers need to fully understand the inner workings and development of adolescents in order to really meet their needs. In Teenage Guys, Dr. Steve Gerali presents the stages of development that adolescent guys go through, providing stories from his own experiences in ministry and counseling as well as practical research findings to equip youth workers (both male and female) to more effectively minister to teenage guys.With advice from counselors and veteran youth workers, you'll find helpful suggestions on how to minister to teenage guys and their families. Each chapter includes discussion questions to help you and other youth workers process the issues your own students face and learn how you can help them and mentor them through this tumultuous time. In addition to concepts like mentoring and rites of passage, Dr. Gerali also walks readers through the seven areas of development young guys go through.You'll understand more about:. Cognitive development. Identity formation. Social development. Emotional development. Physiological development. Sexological maturation. Faith formation

CONTENTSAdolescent Guys: Never a Dull MomentSection 1: Male Adolescence1.1 Understanding Male Adolescence 18Storm and Stress of Male Adolescence 19Age Ranges Within Adolescence 22Developmental Tasks 25A Holistic Approach to Adolescence 261.2 What Guys Need 31Section 2: The Teenage Guy's Body (Physical Development)2.1 The Male Body 40Adolescent Guys Are Very Body Conscious 41Fascination with Function 42When Puberty Strikes 43Manifestations of Male Puberty 452.2 Secondary Sex Characteristics 47The Growth Spurt 512.3 Primary Sex Characteristics 60The Time Has Come... 61Internal Reproductive Development 66Section 3: The Teenage Guy's Sexuality (Sexual Identity Development)3.1 Guys and Sex 74Testosterone: Superhuman Hormone or Poison Potion? 74Identity and Messages of Virility 79Sex on the Brain 90Sex as a Rite of Passage 923.2 Guys and Homosexuality 95For Clarity's Sake 97Getting on the Same Page 97Understand the Dilemma 99Coming Out 101Acts of Desperation 103Destructive Behavior 105Helping a Homosexual Teenage Guy 106Section 4: The Teenage Guy's Emotions (Emotional Development)4.1 Emotional Myths that Infl uence Guys 112Emotional Development 114Myths about Emotions 1154.2 Emotionally Abandoned Guys 124Being a Father to the Fatherless 124Practical Theology 1264.3 Anger, Depression, and Suicide 136The Triple Jeopardy Effect 136Depression 140Suicide 145Why Do Teenage Guys Attempt and Commit Suicide? 1464.4 Aggression and Violence 153Raising Cain 156Emotional and Psychological Problems 162Section 5: The Teenage Guy's Mind (Intellectual Development)5.1 A Guy's Brain 166Brain Growth 166Communication and Brain Difference 171Spatial Function 174Other "Guy Brain" Functions 1755.2 From Concrete to Idealism 177Stage #1---Concrete 177Stage #2---Abstract 182Stage #3---Ideal 1885.3 Learning Problems 191Detecting a Learning Problem 194Ministry and Mentoring Tips 195Section 6: The Teenage Guy's Family and Friends (Social Development)6.1 Male Identity Development 200Biological Factors 201Masculine Identity Theory 202Father Wound 206Personal Identity 2076.2 How Relationships Shape Guys 211Task #1---Identity Development 212Task #2---Intimacy Development 2146.3 Guys and Family 233You Can't Choose Your Relatives 234Guys and Fathers 235Guys and Mothers 2436.4 Rites of Passage: Blessing 249The Importance of Rites of Passage 251Section 7: The Teenage Guy's Spirituality (Faith Formation)7.1 Spirituality 260Spirituality and Masculinity 261Spirituality Isn't Male or Female 266Faith Formation 267Archetypes of Faith Formation 270Stages of Spiritual Development 271Guys Have Spiritual Needs 277Appendix A: More on Guys' Physiology 279Appendix B: Physical Problems Adolescent Guys Face 285Appendix C: Guys and Sexually Transmitted Diseases 301Notes