The Boyhood Crisis: Raising Thriving Young Men in a Changing World‍‍

With Dr. Cara Natterson, pediatrician and bestselling author of "Decoding Boys"

‍April 22, 2026, noon–1 p.m. PT

Boys today are growing up in a completely different world, and much of it is happening out of sight. Early exposure to explicit content. Immersive gaming. Constant access to screens.

These forces are shaping how boys understand relationships, connection and identity, often before they have the emotional tools to make sense of them. And in the face of earlier puberty, with its rising and falling testosterone levels, the combination can appear as withdrawal, shutdown or sudden distance.

In this eye-opening ParentEd Talk, pediatrician and The New York Times bestselling author Dr. Cara Natterson — the doctor behind American Girl’s “The Care and Keeping of You” and “Guy Stuff” series (8 million copies in print), “Decoding Boys” and “This Is So Awkward”— unpacks what’s really driving boys’ behavior. Drawing on decades of clinical experience, she explains why boys often retreat during adolescence, what’s happening in their brains and bodies long before parents see the visible signs, and how families can stay connected through the transition.

If you feel like your son is pulling away and you’re not sure why, this conversation will help you understand what’s happening and what to do next.

You'll learn:

• Why boys go quiet during puberty, and what it really mean
• How development starts earlier than most parents expect
• Practical, research-backed ways to keep communication open
• How to navigate screens, social pressures and emotional changes with confidence
  

Get the science and the scripts.

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