Book Review: Unfolding Lives: Youth, Gender, and Change

Abstract

Writing research on the importance of men's mentorship can be a tricky task. As a feminist sociologist, how does one manage to balance discussion of the need for male mentorship without reifying the rhetoric of blaming societal problems such as poverty and gangs on single mothers and absentee fathers? William Marsiglio's Men on a Mission fearlessly attempts to do just that with much success. In the beginning of his book he claims that "far too many kids are at-risk and deserve more and better social support" (p. 3) and men can do their part in supplying such support. His research combines extensive interviews and observations of 45 men who mentor youth either through their jobs (including teachers, child care workers, coaches, corrections officers, and religious leaders) or as volunteers with organizations like the Boy Scouts and Big Brothers.The most interesting portion of the book was Marsiglio's examination of the way male respondents try to combat observers' distrust as the men work with youth in a manner that runs counter to masculine norms that leave little space for emotional or physical contact and treat nurturing behavior by men with suspicion. With these fears in mind, Marsiglio's respondents mentor youth while facing the "stranger danger" discourse surrounding men's involvement with "others'" children. For his gay male respondents, this is a far more precarious position as they attempt to mentor youth in a way that does not provoke homophobic fears among youth and adults. Many of his respondents use strategies to avoid physical contact or being alone with youth to avoid accusations and the appearance of inappropriateness while trying to create nurturing and intimate relationships.In chapter three Marsiglio raises interesting points concerning how physical space shapes personal relationships, but some of the chapter seems forced. At one point he uses the example of young men on a camping trip sitting in a circle around a campfire opening up to one another by sharing information about their lives. He states that the transformative power of the great outdoors allows men to drop their masculine guard. Later in the chapter, he shares how another respondent, working with a support group in