Permission to Be Tough: Raising Boys to Be Rugged Gentlemen (Unabridged‪)‬

Best-selling author Tim Austin notes, "We live in a troubled world, where raising loving, responsible young men is a challenge." He takes a deep look at the important issues relevant to raising “rugged gentlemen” in a world where it is necessary to, sometimes, give them “permission to be tough".

With a fresh perspective of the myriad people who shape a young man’s future, Austin provides insight, humor, and proven wisdom, backed by decades of being a parent and coach, to show persons of influence in a young man’s life how to provide the kind of innovative, loving guidance young boys need. His book explains exactly what he feels should be expected of our young men and how some parents inadvertently spoil them rotten.

He speaks to the mother’s role to inspire and nurture, whereas a father does better being a role model as he both affirms and challenges them to be their best self. Sports play a big part in the lives of many young men and the coaches who are charged with developing the attitude of a winner.

Together with parents and coaches, schools are instrumental in finding the “sweet spot” where boys are kept on a gentle leash, yet learn how to cope in a complicated world. And, in all this mix, “little princes” are sometimes dethroned, yet are also provided an opportunity to “borrow courage” until theirs is evolved.

Austin puts a wrap on the book by providing a full chapter of activities designed to strategically connect parent and son and, in the end, give them permission to be tough and become rugged gentlemen.