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"Boys also account for 80 percent of Ritalin prescriptions. Coincidence?"

I have been upset about this for some time now as I have observed what parents of boys go through..My opinion is that the Ritalin prescription and other medications are attempts to force boys into a feminine mold. If this had been the fad when I grew up, all my male cousins would have been "restrained" with medications. Then, it was understood that boys had lots of energy and a shallow attention span..They were given physical chores around the farm and their Fathers had disciplinary control of them. With the exception of a very few, all grew up to be responsible and very successful adults..Now, I will express myself on a male problem which has been with society forever but seems not to have a solution. I almost cried as I read about the efforts of Laura Bush here because I came to my computer this a.m. to research "Bullying" because it is a problem in my Grandson's school and during the last week a couple of boys (12 years old) have begun to bully verbally bully him..He is a big, good-looking kids and he does well in school. He is also a happy person with an intact family and he plays basketball and is quite accomplished on the guitar for his age..His school is supposed to have a big policy against bullying and we hope it will not go further than verbal..Also, I understand that girls are now bullying boys by asking them to buy expensive gifts, and if the boy will not or cannot, they and their friends will tell him how awful and selfish he is and will start rumors..Terrible stuff going on in the 12 year old world. The bent towards terrorism begins early..It seems that while boys are not getting the academic attention they need, they are also not getting the discipline they need when they show aggressive tendencies. I read online that 60% of boys who bully in school end up in legal trouble by the time they are adults. Many grow up to be abusers of their families..This problem needs to be addressed in tandem with the learning issues.

No, they are by nature more active and have more energy THOUGH I am noticing more girls getting more active with more energy as well. HOWEVER, around here at least (not sure of other places), almost all medication is parent-initiated, and not necessarily based on the way they act at school, but often at home or in other social settings. I have one boy who could be categorized as "hyperactive" but he does get his work done and has made improvement over the year so far. He does drive me crazy, but he also has a kind heart so I can't fault him too much. His grandma raising him has him on some herbal stuff. Another student is on Ritalin. Not sure of all the reasons--part of it because he's active, but also part because he's listless too. It's totally on his parents' part and I figure they know better than I do (around here teachers can't make medical recommendations and I'm glad for that). He's doing pretty well in class.

I myself would love to see more male teachers out there, but I think that we will see less in at least the near future. The biggest factor though to me is having a strong and involved father. I am lucky that many of my students do, because they make all the difference (yes some have to work extra hours--it's the quality time that counts).