One moment of fear changed everything. When Kathryne Imabayashi felt a flicker of unease around a group of teenage boys, she caught herself and asked a question that would define the next chapter of her life: will someone fear my son simply for being male?

That question sent her thirty years deep into the emotional world of boys and men, and what she found is unsettling. The men she interviewed for her new book all described the same quiet suppression, the pressure to keep their emotions flat, never too high, never too low. She connects that suppression directly to a mental health crisis we are still refusing to name properly.

Kathryne also brings the wisdom of Japan, where elders are revered rather than sidelined, and where new mothers are literally given an elder in their home to cook, guide, and support them. It is a stark contrast to how the West treats its wisest generation, and Kathryne is on a mission to close that gap.

If you are raising a son, mentoring a young mother, or simply tired of trusting trends over your own intuition, this one is for you.

Show Note:

• The Beginning of a Mission

  • A chance encounter with a group of adolescent boys in Japan led Kathryne to question her own fear.
  • She asked herself, “Will someone fear my son simply because he is male?” That single question shaped the next 30 years of her work.
  • Reading Dr William Pollock’s Real Boys provided the framework and inspiration to begin advocating for boys and young men.

  Boys, Mental Health and Society

  • Men consistently shared that they felt expected to suppress their emotions and remain emotionally “flat”.
  • This emotional suppression contributes to poor mental health and the alarming rates of male suicide.
  • Every man interviewed described negative experiences within the education system, highlighting a need for change.

  Parenting with Confidence

  • Parents are encouraged to trust their instincts rather than giving in to social pressure.
  • Kathryne shares the example of refusing to let her son watch a popular television show. Despite this, he still learnt the songs and characters from friends, proving that children naturally adapt without missing out.
  • Strong emotional foundations, healthy relationships and open communication matter far more than following the latest parenting trends.

  Learning from Japan’s Elders

  • In many Western cultures, older people are often viewed as a burden.
  • In Japan, elders are respected for their wisdom and remain active contributors to family life.
  • One inspiring example is a government-supported program where an elder visits new families each week to cook meals, offer guidance and support parents during the early months of raising a child.

  A Vision for Humanity

  • Kathryne believes advocating for boys is ultimately about creating a healthier, more compassionate society for everyone.
  • She shares the beautiful analogy of humanity as a bird with two wings, one male and one female. Neither wing can soar alone. We reach our greatest potential only when both work together.
  • Her hope is to help create a world where future generations grow up with strong emotional foundations, empathy and resilience.

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