Blog Education

The Disney blockbuster Frozen is the most successful animated movie of all time. Yay for Disney but what does that mean for the rest of humanity, particularly men? Is this just harmless entertainment or is there something more sinister at work here? Disney has been the beloved purveyor of fantasy through animation for decades and wields a great deal of cultural power. The question we should all be asking ourselves is if Disney is using that power responsibly. Most of us were … Continued

  Self-reliance means freedom for yourself as an individual and freedom for others. It frees you from dependency on others and in turn frees them from the burden of having to look after you. Self-reliance builds confident, resilient, independent and productive members of society but in today’s world of instant everything, from messaging to puddings, pain relief and gratification, it is an endangered species. Why? Because self-reliance comes at a cost and it is one that both parents and educators … Continued

  Now a boomerang is a bit like karma because what you put out into the world comes back to you, good or bad. Basically, you reap what you sow. If you raise your kids as helpless, entitled victims, when the rubber meets the road and they can’t cope, they will surely want to come back home to the comfort and safety they are accustomed to. So, if you want to make sure your “Boomerang Kid” doesn’t return (pun intended) … Continued

What is it about video games that are so attractive to young men? What is it about gaming that draws them in like a moth to a flame? At Forte Strong, we get asked these questions on a weekly basis. Video games by nature are meant to be enticing, exhilarating, and yes, addictive. Why? Well, let’s think of it from a business perspective: if a video game can draw you in and captivate your attention, you will be much more … Continued

  It’s Time to Move Out! Moving out when you’re used to living at home with your parents may seem like a challenge, but it’s actually easier than it looks. Sure, there are challenges to be met and obstacles to be overcome, but you’re an adult now, free to choose your own path and nobody and nothing can keep you from progressing if you’re ready to take the next step. Whatever your personal reasons are for wanting a change of residence, … Continued

Is there a Connection Between “Safe Spaces” and “Failure to Launch”? The phrases “Trigger warnings” and “safe spaces” seem to be all over cyberspace these days. Advocates of “safe spaces” and “trigger warnings” believe it’s a right to be protected from intolerance in the form of offensive words or ideas. Critics on the other hand say that it’s gone too far, that the word offensive has come to mean “Anything I dislike or disagree with.” They point out that attempts … Continued

While the fear of rejection can keep people from reaching their goals, for some it can be so overwhelming that they are frozen in place and unable to move forward in life. This is the plight of many Millennials. The growing “Failure to Launch” trend among young adults, especially young men, and the rise of personality disorders related to avoidance and anxiety are linked.   The term Failure to Launch was described in Psychology today as “an increasingly popular way to … Continued

Christmas was once magical and exciting, full of warm scents, delicious smells, soft lights, and smiles! These days, it feels like Christmas is just a machine, turned on promptly after Thanksgiving and kept running full-bore until January 1st. This change in how we see the Christmas season has led to increased stress, anxiety, depression, weight gain, and unnecessary fatigue. Undue stressors tox our bodies, causing increased blood pressure and heart rate, increased muscle tension, slowed digestion, impaired clearance of fat … Continued

Have you ever heard the joke: HOW MANY THERAPISTS DOES IT TAKE TO CHANGE A LIGHT BULB? The answer: JUST ONE, BUT THE LIGHT BULB HAS TO WANT TO CHANGE! – There is a nugget of truth embedded in that idea, the idea that before someone will change, they must want to change. One might ask, how many treatment programs does it take to change a person? If that person really wants to change, it only takes one. Parents may … Continued

Not too long ago I experienced the dreaded “flat tire” for the first time. Most of you know what I’m talking about. Just about everyone has experienced a flat tire at one point in their life. If you have’t yet, I’m sure your time will come. As long as tires are made out of rubber and nails stay sharp, flat tires will continue to exist. But how does one who has never experienced a flat tire handle it when it does happen? … Continued