Boys Will Be Boys
Posted by Michelle Moquin on May 4th, 2012
Good morning!
Turning Boys Into Men: 4 Ways to Expand Your Son’s “Boy Power”
More than just about anything, Fiona’s boys hated having their nails trimmed. They were rough-and-tumble types, with a penchant for superheroes and playing with sticks. So Fiona came up with a diversionary tactic: nail polish. “At one point, both boys had toenails in every color I own–purple, gold, fire engine red, green,” she recalls. “It started out as a bribe, but it turned into a big treat… our little in-joke.”
A few years later, now in kindergarten, TJ, her older son, came home and told Fiona that the other boys in his class thought his painted fingernails were “weird.” Fiona told TJ that he could do whatever he liked, but that painting his nails was his own choice. Though TJ’s interests varied widely–he loved glittery objects, and carried around a tiny, sparkly dragon he bought from a street vendor in Chinatown–he was never a boy people would describe as “feminine.” He was a kid who wanted to tape sharpened sticks to his fingers so he’d have claws like the X-Men’s Wolverine. He was also a kid who wanted his nails painted green and purple from time to time.
Most days, TJ decided to limit the painting to his toenails only. That way, he told his mom, he could still enjoy the ritual but “the other boys won’t know.” One day, though, TJ came home and asked Fiona to paint his fingernails blue. He took some teasing for it at school, but this time around, he didn’t care. Later that week, they were shopping at the local market when the checkout guy remarked, “nice nails.” The guy had a black leather jacket, black nail polish and, recalls Fiona, “oozed cool.” TJ was visibly proud of himself for being so hip. “It really made his day,” she says. “He walked taller, spoke in a deeper voice, and acted cool for the rest of the afternoon.” All on his own, TJ had figured out something about identity, belonging, and what it means to be a man–and it had nothing to do with conforming on the playground.
For years, psychologists hypothesized that raising strong, confident boys had more to do with nurture than with nature, and that it was essential for parents–fathers, mainly–to instill in them a masculinity and sense of self. This masculinity was narrowly defined to exclude any interests or traits that could be considered girlish–things like sparkly dragons or painted nails. The underlying fear: Too much female, or mom, influence could sway a son’s sexual orientation. The opposite has hardly been discussed–that too much male, or dad, influence will “make” a daughter gay. In fact, little girls who display what are thought of as typically male traits–such as playing sports, excelling in math and science, and wearing tomboyish clothing–are celebrated, and close relationships with their fathers are rarely questioned. It’s one reason that schools hold father-daughter dances but tend to hold mother-son events that are sport-related, if they hold any at all.
But scientists now know that boys are hardwired from birth to be boys–not to mention that homosexuality in men has biological roots. We also know that boyishness can show up in a variety of ways. Still, we as a culture have held fast to the idea that we need to protect the boundaries between male and female. This is wrong, and even dangerous. Instead, we need to be reframing the discussion, and asking: What makes a boy a boy? Are these boys–those whose influences or interests are predominately female–being less masculine, or more liberated? Are they being feminized, or humanized? To liberate our sons from outdated, judgment-based notions of what it means to be masculine, we should be striving to help them appreciate their own boyishness in all its forms. Here’s how.
1. Relax. It’s important to remember that with or without a male influence, boys will be boys. Though Mac’s mother, Susan, had a ban on toy guns, Mac and his brother would regularly chew their morning toast into the shape of pistols and pretend to shoot one another. Boys will create what they need to express themselves. If they want gun-shaped toast on the menu, they’ll put it on the menu.
Which means you can value your son’s manliness while at the same time encouraging a sense of adventure. Boy-associated qualities will often come out in what and how they choose to play, despite Mom’s best efforts. In my work with single and two-mother families, I found that their sons exhibited a boyishness that seemed to be inborn. “I knew it was definitely nature over nurture … [when] my son’s first words at 11 months were ‘big truck,’” one single mother laughingly told me.
2. Respect his individuality. There are many styles of boy. By not insisting that your son conform to–or even consider–social standards, like playing with “gender-correct” toys, you’ll help him develop into a more open-minded, fearless, and sensitive person. When 12-year-old Ethan had to select 7th grade electives, he chose cooking and sewing. “I’m sure in some circles that wouldn’t be a very popular choice for a seventh grader to make,” says his mom, Ursula. “But I didn’t say ‘You’re what?’ I said, ‘That sounds great. What are you learning to cook?’”
That’s because Ursula knew being masculine does not exclude an interest in female activities, nor did it say anything about Ethan other than that he was interested in learning some new skills. The boys I’ve met through my research cook, clean, garden, and primp. 7-year-old Sean had an affinity for baking cookies. And yet, “Nobody’s gotta tell me I’m a boy,” he told me. “I know it inside. Always did, ever since I was little.”
3. Foster diverse interests and help him deal constructively with criticism. Many parents want their kids to be just like them: If they like piano, they want their kids to be pianists, only better–and the same with sports, choice of career, and lifestyle. But encouraging your son to participate in a wide variety of activities will enlarge his scope of interests, enrich his life, and help him appreciate freedom of choice. If he faces criticism, teach him how to respond. Children who are taught to deal with discrimination learn to think independently and stand up for what they believe in.
Maria enrolled her son, Zane, in ballet when he was four, wanting to expose him to a range of cultural experiences, though not because she was a dancer herself. Though he loved dancing, as he grew older, teasing ensued. Finally, at age 8, Zane quit, only to find that he missed ballet. “You can handle this teasing thing,” Maria told him. “Tell your friends to shut up and get over it.” Deciding that he wasn’t going to let his friends influence his decisions, Zane made his friends apologize. Then he returned to ballet class.
4. Refuse to fall prey to gender-based expectations. Gender typing is believed to impede emotional development and account for anti social behavior in boys. In my work with families and parenting, I have observed that boys who are not trapped in gender roles grow up to be more independent, more open-minded, and more sexually tolerant than their peers. Their exposure to a greater repertoire of potential identities gave them a sense of parental acceptance that laid the groundwork for a natural assertiveness. These boys also more easily treated females with respect and openness.
Gene, a successful and highly educated 34-year-old, was raised by his mother and her partner, a woman. As a result, he says, he’s far less willing to jump to conclusions, and slower to make judgments, “Having been exposed to all that, it’s a lot more difficult to faze me,” he says. “And it almost seems impossible to draw conclusions about what it means to be a ‘man’ because there are so many different ways of living.”
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May 4th, 2012 at 7:33 am
At Last, a Better Solution for Icky Toenail Fungus
Are you dreading sandal weather because one or more of your toenails has turned ugly? If the nail is misshapen, thickened, crumbly and/or discolored with yellow, brown or white splotches, chances are that you have a fungal infection.
It’s caused by microscopic critters called dermatophytes that get under the nail and multiply.
These nasty infections are notoriously difficult to treat. Topical antifungal products often don’t work…and oral antifungal drugs can cause diarrhea, rashes, retinal problems and potentially deadly liver damage!
So it’s good to hear that there’s a new approach to treating toenail fungus. Though published studies are somewhat limited, early results show the technique to be safe and effective.
The secret weapon: Laser.
According to Jonathan D. Rose, DPM, a podiatrist in Baltimore and coauthor of The Foot Book: A Complete Guide to Healthy Feet, a number of podiatrists are now using the Nd:YAG or a similar laser to treat nail fungus.
The pen-shaped device emits laser energy that penetrates the nail and produces moderate heat deep within the underlying dermis as well as the nail tissue.
This inactivates the dermatophytes and renders them unable to reproduce. Treatment takes several minutes per nail…involves mild discomfort (a level that Dr. Rose termed “tolerable without anesthesia”)…and causes no side effects.
Patients can immediately return to their normal activities, including sports.
One to four sessions may be required, depending on infection severity. Treatment does not immediately fix the appearance of the nail—the damaged nail needs time to grow out, which takes six to 12 months—but if the laser worked, you’ll see the new nail grow in normally.
Dr. Rose estimated the success rate at 70% to 90%. The cost ranges from about $500 to $1,500, depending on your location and the extent of the treatment required.
Unfortunately, it generally is not covered by insurance.
With toenail fungus, there is always a chance of a recurrence.
“Shoes create a dark, warm, moist environment conducive to fungal growth. Also, feet sustain ‘microtraumas’ from daily use—particularly if you wear shoes with narrow toe boxes or high heels—and tiny injuries allow fungus to get back under the nail,” Dr. Rose explained.
To minimize that risk…
Never go barefoot in shared bathrooms (such as at the gym)—instead, wear flip-flops, Crocs or something similar even when showering.
Scrub your feet when you bathe, then dry them thoroughly, especially between the toes.
If you have perspiration-prone feet, change your socks often and avoid tight shoes.
Spray the insides of your shoes with a disinfectant, such as Lysol.
After your last laser treatment, your doctor may advise you to use a prescription or nonprescription topical antifungal medication on the affected nail daily until the damaged nail has completely grown out.
Source: Jonathan D. Rose, DPM, is a podiatrist in private practice in Baltimore and coauthor of The Foot Book: A Complete Guide to Healthy Feet (Johns Hopkins). http://www.PodiatryAssociates.org
May 4th, 2012 at 8:08 am
Zen Lill, I agree with you Robert,RT does have a way with the written word. If his other activities are half as good, this white girl is definitely game.
Ellen
May 4th, 2012 at 8:14 am
Simple reason for this….scientist, psychologist, and so called self proclaimed relationship experts all agree women (whom were once little girls) are emotional, whereas men ( whom were once little boys) are more rational.
May 4th, 2012 at 8:32 am
Boys need to be held to the same responsibility standards as girls. Many mothers allow their male children to get away with not having to pull their fair share of the household responsibilities, like doing the dishes, or cleaning up after themselves.
Simple reason for this….scientist, psychologist, and so called self proclaimed relationship experts all agree women (whom were once little girls) are emotional, whereas men ( whom were once little boys) are more rational.
Let boys be boys………..that is the core of the problem from beginning to end.
Let boys play and be late for dinner, he should not have to wash the dishes “he’s a boy”, drinking beer with buddies and talkng sports is not really connecting with other people, infidelity-”he is a guy what do you expect” on and on and on.
In grad school a guy in the class said he noted the inequity in his life between himself and his sisters, but his attitude was to roll with it because his mother permitted it.
Stupid women like that are what contribute to the mind set of most insensitive men. Their mothers allowed them to be insensitive little shits as children.
Unlike that asshole preacher, I’m not advocating you smack the little snots, just that you insist that the do their fair share and be aware of the females in their mist.
Ruby
May 4th, 2012 at 8:33 am
I know that if you write a long enough story that you’ll get everyone to agree with you but the truth of the matter is this, his Father should be doing this.
When boys are very little there Mother should instil the acts that a Mother should teach but the Father’s responsibility lies in teaching your Son to be a Man.
May 4th, 2012 at 8:37 am
If we had more male roll models, perhaps the score would be equal. But young boys who try to act in a natural male agressive nature, are immediately misdiagnosed with ADHD and doped up with Ritalin.
The reason girls are doing better in school isn’t because they’re smarter, its because the boys are all doped up to lower their IQ’s and then brainwashed into acting like girls.
May 4th, 2012 at 8:39 am
a cultural ethos that relentlessly models for boys that “real boys” are too cool for school, that sitting still and studying is a girly activity, that only nerds want the approval of teachers.
IN stark contrast to the complaints some men have that the school experience has been “feminized”, I find that the more salient explanation is that the culture has become hyper-masculinized. The macho virtues of aggression,hyper activity, rebellion against authority, etc. all add up to a philosophy that all but ENSURES boys will be turned off to school and refuse to engage on the level they must.
Boys today swim in a cultural soup of video games, action movies, violent sports and eventually porn – all hyper masculine climates that breed exactly the wrong mindset for learning and self improvement.
There’s only one way to learn – concentration and study. Any parent who doesn’t make sure their son understands this is setting him up for failure.
May 4th, 2012 at 8:42 am
Many boys dont have an active male figure to look up to and emulate. I know many single women do well with their boys, but I also know I would have been lost w/o my dad.
He taught me a strong work ethic, personal responsibility, ambition…just like his dad did for him. I know these are good traits for anyone, but my dad made me feel a sense of obligation….that I needed to behave this way in order to be able to call myself a man.
I lost him at eighteen, but my siblings were younger and you can see a marked difference.
I also believe the point the author gave about lowered expectations and the belief (?) that boys are just not good students, or are just not as intelligent as girls, was a good one as well.
This message does get to them. I have heard more than a few grown men give voice to the assumption that woman are just smarter. I never remember feeling this way at all growing up.
It honestly reminds me of years past when women were looked at this way. I really wonder if there needs to be some kind of a real marketing campaign to try and reach some of these kids.
Kind of like a “you go-girl” but for boys. But you are right in saying the ultimate responsiblity lies with the parents.
May 4th, 2012 at 8:44 am
I would like to point out something you said. “Boys today swim in a cultural soup of video games, action movies, violent sports and eventually porn all hyper masculine climates that breed exactly the wrong mindset for learning and self improvement.
” Now im not going to argue porn, but some TV series can be educational. its just the matter of finding the right ones.
Same goes for video games. when i was growing up- im 20 almost 21- i only played games that made me think, games such as clue and risk.
I dont think the solution is to completely take away electronics but rather decrease and alter it so that they only watch certain kinds of shows AND play certain kinds of games WHILE increasing the need to read.
May 4th, 2012 at 12:01 pm
This morning we learned that U.S. hiring slowed in April to just 115,000 jobs, but the unemployment rate dropped to 8.1 percent. And as the Wall Street Journal points out, the rate fell because many of the people searching for employment, have dropped out of the workforce. More great news from the Hope and Change folks at 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue…
Romney comes out swinging in Ohio
As I reported yesterday, Mitt Romney, along with the RNC, is going full bore in to Ohio and Virginia ahead of the president’s visit to those states this weekend. Today, he has an open letter to the president in the Cleveland Plain-Dealer. A select paragraph:
“Mr. President, your promises now ring hollow. If you have brought new ideas to Ohio for creating jobs, why have you waited three years to unveil them? Have you suddenly had a revelation, or is it because 2012 is an election year? Whatever the case, what you are offering Ohio now is too little, too late.”
Latest polls in the Old Dominion have Obama ahead
The Washington Post has a nice infograph on their poll of Virginia voters on the 2012 election. As expected, the commonwealth is divided on health care and most of the president’s policies. Make sure to take a look, because this sentiment is probably similar in most of the battleground states.
The latest on Chen
Seems like the U.S. can rescue Chinese dissident Chen Guangcheng if Beijing allows him to accept a fellowship at New York University. U.S. State Department spokeswoman Victoria Nuland said in a statement: “Mr. Chen has been offered a fellowship from an American university, where he can be accompanied by his wife and two children” and that the Chinese government looks like “it will accept Mr. Chen’s applications for appropriate travel documents,” she continued.
Also — from us today: Hope’s story on chaplains facing pressure in the military with the DADT ruling shaping how their faith and Hayward’s got a preview of how the contempt of Congress citation is shaping up against Eric Holder. That and a lot more below.
Have a great weekend
-Adam
May 4th, 2012 at 12:07 pm
1. I love Anderson Cooper! I Love Rachel!
2. Rush Limbaugh, married 4 times (and sounds like number four is getting rocky…) chastizes AC for GOING TO THE GYM? This just illustrates how tone-deaf to the truth Rush is.
3. Fox is not popular because it tells the truth. It is popular because it appeals to certain people’s baser instincts and they take comfort in that.
May 4th, 2012 at 12:09 pm
Seems like Rush.L. is very jealous of a lot of people. Anderson C is handsome and keeps in great shape.
He really hates the Prez, maybe because he is well educated, handsome and is well-liked.
Who knows. RL is just gross.
May 4th, 2012 at 12:11 pm
Thanks for saying that, Anderson Cooper!
My Mormon mother-in-law TRULY believes Rush Limbaugh always says the right things.
She said this to me once, “If you want any truth about anything, go to Rush Limbaugh’s website.”
I do not like mother-in-law, nor Rush Limbaugh.
May 4th, 2012 at 12:12 pm
Word is that Rush’s health is failing. After comprehensive estate planning and final affairs discussion, the decision is to simply give him an enema at death and bury him in a matchbox.
May 4th, 2012 at 12:16 pm
I’m actually getting kind of tired of the sarcastic burn in response to a bully’s stupid comments.
Why keep this dynamic going? It hasn’t helped. Bullies are attacking intellectuals in greater numbers than ever.
Legitimizing stupid ideas has resulted in an almost universally held belief that intellectuals need to be subjugated by “regular folk”.
This idea has been the basis of basically every piece of fiction for the last century. I can think of about a hundred movies off the top of my head where the villain is a clearly more intelligent than the hero (but not as tough) who triumphs because the genius is actually stupid about “real-world” stuff.
That’s not an accident. We’ve collectively created this fantasy and play it out over and over again because we’re afraid that smart people will change the world and the rest of us won’t have a place in it. Smart people fear this, too.
To a fool like Limbaugh, getting burned by an “intellectual” is akin to Hans Gruber’s sneering taunts to John McClane. It doesn’t matter how clever he is. He’s still going to get thrown down the elevator shaft by a tough guy.
May 4th, 2012 at 12:28 pm
Ever wonder why the OTW has to as we whites say “play the race card?”
My brother called to say “get ready for the sharptons and the rest of the race batting niggers to be all over this.”
He was referring to this statement by NY Post writer Phil Mushnick’s. to Wit:
Why the Brooklyn Nets when they can be the New York Niggers? The cheerleaders could be the Brooklyn Bitches or Hoes. Team logo? A 9 mm with hollow-tip shell casings strewn beneath. Wanna be Jay-Z hip? Then go all the way!
This was said because he was upset that a black man bought co-ownership of the NY Nets.
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My brother the typical white boy, was more concerned about the possible “race card playing” of blacks than the racist rant of Mushnick.
I’m way ahead of you Robert,RT. The smaller the dick the bigger the racial bias.
His wife confided in me that if his penis was any smaller, he could qualify as a paraplegic.
Emily
May 4th, 2012 at 1:07 pm
Obama isn’t going to be undone by anything the white boy says to denigrate him.
Pundits are trying to undo AMERICA by pretending his presidency is ineffectual. He’s achieved more in one term than most American presidents in the last 50 years have achieved.
The myth of his timidity and ineffectiveness is no more truth than any other lie the white boy has floated.
It’s just the white media’s favourite lie; and it’s the lie that depressed the vote and birthed the tea party. It was the lie that got the stupid white woman to support the white boys she returned to power in 2010.
Why because the right will use any lie to motivate that 1/3 of whites in the middle to side with the 1/3 pure racist faction.
Now, the white woman is crying foul. But her ignorance and numbers have placed the OTW women at the mercy of those tiny penis, down under, white boys in powerful government positions all over this country.
One just can not escape a truth that is revealed every time they go to the polls that there is nothing dumber than the average american white woman on the planet.
It seems to me this time come November, they will be given another chance to water down that title.
Alycedale
May 5th, 2012 at 6:47 am
Did you hear CBS interviewed Ted Nugent after his visit by the Secret Service for threatening Obama. During the interview, Nugent launched into a rambling tirade about being a “moderate.” It concluded with profanity directed at the interviewer and a female producer who was off-camera.
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Typical performance of the Right cowards once they feel the heat of the law. He swearing how harmless he was. Never was a more truth spoken. If by harmless you mean he would harm an OTW unless he was armed and they weren’t, he was alone sans the company of numbers of bigots that way out numbered the targeted OTW.
Just your every day bully who needs the numbers on his side to be aggressor.
Huo
May 5th, 2012 at 6:54 am
You have already seen how dirty the republicans play against each other when they compete in their primaries so you can expect them to do the Swift Boating of Obama concerning the shooting of bin laden.
If you have forgotten, here is an example.Mourdock, a favorite of the Tea Party, is leading incumbent Sen. Dick Lugar heading into Tuesday’s Republican primary, according to polls.
Because he is leading Lugar’s team is bringing out the dirty big guns.
First shot: A retired Indiana state trooper has asked the Securities Exchange Commission to investigate whether state Treasurer Richard Mourdock, a candidate for Senate, broke pay-to-play rules in offering a contract to manage police pension money while he was raising campaign cash from Wall Street.
Mourdock’s reply: “This is a frivolous complaint with no merit that was no doubt engineered by the Lugar campaign as a last, desperate attempt to attack Richard Mourdock three days before an election,” Conner said.
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Just a little reminder to show how really nasty the right will be in the coming months against Obama.
Kelly
May 5th, 2012 at 6:57 am
Who on earth is this big mouthed idiot, Ted nugent? He surely can’t be helping the Republicans. Course that is a good thing so maybe we should let him rant till November.
If Romney thinks this guy is helping him that is good. Let him keep helping the Democrats. Does he by any chance spend a lot of time in Arizona? He and Joe and Jan should get along well.
May 5th, 2012 at 7:00 am
How do you guys get in? Most of the time when I try I get this
Error establishing a database connection
May 5th, 2012 at 7:01 am
SB, meet Ted Nugent, second rate musician, first rate radical right wing Fascist spokeperson and excelent draft dodeger who was so chicken to serve his country he spent a week in his own filth to avoid the draft. Typical Teapublican wacko phony.
May 5th, 2012 at 7:09 am
Eight Professions Hiring Now (No College Required)
The recent recession has taken its toll on many working people, but those who lack college degrees have fared the worst.
The unemployment rate among Americans whose education ended with a high school diploma recently was 10.3%, nearly twice the 5.4% rate for those who have bachelor’s degrees, according to the US Bureau of Labor Statistics.
Going back to school to earn a college degree is one potential path for these unemployed individuals—but not everyone has the time, temperament and/or bankroll for college.
Another option is seeking out a profession that is hiring now and has bright prospects for the coming years but doesn’t require a college degree.
Such professions are rare these days, but they do exist. Among the best prospects…
Emergency medical technicians (EMTs) are dispatched by 911 operators to assist people in need of immediate medical attention or transport to a medical facility.
Demand for EMTs should increase as the aging US population has more medical emergencies.
Wage range: $24,070 to $39,590.
Training and requirements: Job requirements vary by state, but EMTs typically must complete courses at a technical school to earn a certificate, then pass a state exam.
For more information, visit the Web site of the National Registry of Emergency Medical Technicians (www.nremt.org, select “Become an EMS Professional”). You need to be a good driver and be able to perform under pressure.
Insurance sales agents sell insurance policies and related financial products. It’s one of the few desk jobs that does not require a college degree (though some employers in this field do prefer college-educated candidates).
Insurance salespeople remain in strong demand even as the economy has struggled—insurance typically is one of the last expenses people sacrifice during tough times.
Wage range: $33,330 to $71,620 (some of which may be based on commission).
Training and requirements: In most states, insurance agents must be licensed. This usually involves taking a course and passing an examination, but rules vary by state and category of insurance.
Contact your state’s insurance bureau for details (www.naic.org, then click “States & Jurisdiction Map” to find contact information for your state) or discuss licensing requirements with an insurance agency that is hiring. Very strong interpersonal skills are essential, and a background in sales is a plus.
Pharmacy technicians fill prescriptions and assist customers under the supervision of a pharmacist.
Demand for pharmacy techs is expected to continue to increase as America’s aging population fills an ever-increasing number of prescriptions.
Wage range: $23,370 to $34,560.
Training and requirements: Employers prefer applicants who have formal training or certification. Training programs are offered by community colleges and technical schools and run from six months to two years.
Some hospitals, as well as the armed forces, also offer training. The Pharmacy Technician Certification Board (PTCB) and the Institute for the Certification of Pharmacy Technicians (ICPT) offer national certification exams.
Private detectives and investigators might spend their days surreptitiously following unfaithful spouses or insurance cheats…helping lawyers track down information for cases…or conducting background checks for employers.
Demand currently is strong because of heightened security concerns and increasing litigation rates. In addition to private detective work, jobs in the field are offered by insurance companies, law firms, retailers and hotels.
Wage range: $32,630 to $58,130.
Training and requirements: There are no formal training requirements, though many private detectives and investigators have experience in police work, security or accounting.
Computer skills are helpful—private detectives often do much of their legwork online.
A license is needed in most states. Contact the agency that handles licensing in your state for details. That’s often the State Department of Public Safety or the State Police. Or try typing the name of your state and the words “private detective license” into a search engine.
Athletic coaches and scouts are in demand these days as baby boomers enter retirement and hire golf and tennis instructors in increasing numbers…and as parents increasingly view sports as a potential path to college athletic scholarships for their kids.
Also, professional teams hire coaches and scouts to recruit and train athletes.
Wage range: $18,800 to $43,930.
Training and requirements: No formal training or certification is required for most coaching and scouting positions, but that doesn’t mean just anyone can step into this profession. Extensive background in the sport is required, as is physical fitness.
Jobs in this field often go to those who have a strong network of contacts in the sports community.
Pest-control workers remedy insect and rodent problems. It’s a recession-resistant profession, and recent bedbug outbreaks have only spurred demand.
Wage range: $24,960 to $37,850.
Training and requirements: Most training is on the job. Many states require that pest-control workers pass an exam to prove that they understand how to safely handle the dangerous chemicals used in the profession, but pest-control companies typically provide their employees with the training needed to pass this exam.
Some agility and physical fitness are necessary, too—pest-control workers sometimes must climb high ladders, venture into tight crawl spaces and carry heavy tanks.
Fitness trainers and aerobics instructors lead classes in gyms and provide private workouts. Americans’ increasing attention to health and fitness has helped keep demand strong for these professionals.
Wage range: $19,870 to $46,130.
Training and requirements: No formal training is required (unless you’re teaching a specific discipline such as Pilates or yoga), but familiarity with aerobics techniques and/or modern gym equipment is a must, as, of course, is physical fitness.
Septic tank servicers pump out full septic tanks. Some also repair broken septic systems or sewer lines. It’s dirty, smelly work, but it’s a profession that is always in demand—septic tanks aren’t used any less during recessions.
Wage range: $26,670 to $42,630.
Training and requirements: All necessary training typically is provided on the job. Reasonably good physical fitness is required—as is a strong stomach.
Source: Laurence Shatkin, PhD, who has spent more than 30 years in the career information field.
He is senior product developer with JIST Publishing, a publisher of career-related books, and previously was a researcher and developer at Educational Testing Service.
Based in Titusville, New Jersey, he is past president of the Association of Computer-Based Systems for Career Information and author or coauthor of numerous books on career topics, including 300 Best Jobs Without a Four-Year Degree (JIST).
May 5th, 2012 at 7:18 am
Now that the first person has been arrested by a drone, http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/05/04/rodney-brossart-american-arrested-using-predator-drone_n_1477549.html?ref=technology
Look for this to be a tool used by law enforcement and debtors and anyone else looking for you with the money to afford one to be using them to track and catch you.
Penelope
May 5th, 2012 at 7:19 am
Social Butterfly, where are you? Hope you are doing okay.
May 5th, 2012 at 8:24 am
Realistically this Rocker WannaBe from a long gone era is a fine example of what the low information folks in the TeaBagger group find intellectually stimulating.
The rest of us can work hard as we can to help fulfill his dream of being either Dead or in Jail after Nov. 2012.
Once this fine educator is history, maybe then we can work to educate those poor misguided souls of the Neo-Con movement.
May 5th, 2012 at 8:27 am
This alien’s pick for the Kentucky Derby: Hansen, Creative Cause, and I’ll Have Another.
Humans race horses while riding them. And I thought I miss the cowboy era.
This is fun.
Luc