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Men have an empathy problem—so let’s get boys reading fiction

As charities warn of a crisis in men's health, building empathy among men of all ages is more crucial than ever. One way to do that? Reading fiction

By Sarah Manavis  
August 30, 2017
October 2017

Boys are less likely to read fiction. But could reading provide a way of building men's empathy?

I come from a family of chronic film criers. My mom is known for being “teary,” wailing into a towel at Bridges of Madison County and repeatedly weeping at Ever After. My little sister infamously cried at the first Ice Age movie when she thought the tiger had died. In the last month, I have pathetically sobbed at the final scene of Pirates of the Caribbean 3.

My tendency to cry so easily used to embarrass me; that I, and the other women in my family, would break down at the simplest, most predictable Hollywood plot lines. We’re…

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Sarah Manavis

Sarah Manavis is a writer. She tweets as @sarahmanavis

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