Teenagers: About Boys

Boys 101: Everything You Gotta Know About Guys ¹

Information for Girlfriends (and Parents!)

This very general article about what many teenaged boys are like was adapted from Teen People Magazine. It is included here to illustrate that there are physiological reasons for some of their patterns of behaviour.

1. Boys have sex on the brain - literally
A guy’s hypothalamus - part of the brain associated with sexual behaviour - is bigger than a girl’s.

• When you catch him looking at your chest, just tell him to snap out of it.

2. They can’t hear you
Guys are less sensitive to many sound frequencies that girls hear, which may be why they keep the TV at ear-splitting volume. Plus, they pick up lower pitches better.

• Ditch the squeak in favour of a huskier flow. (It’s gotta be the reason Ashton listens to deep-voiced Demi!)

3. They can only do one thing at a time
He’s not good at multitasking, partly because testosterone, a potent male hormone, makes it more difficult for him to juggle lots of information at once.

• If you want to have a heart-to-heart with him - and have him pay attention - wait until he’s done tuning his guitar.

4. To guys, everything tastes like nachos
At least they’re less likely than girls to be “supertasters” - people who have fine-tuned taste buds. That means they won’t necessarily pick up on all the subtle flavours in a meal. So chances are he’s a less fussy eater in general.

• You can pick the restaurant. And don’t worry if you put too much spicy salsa on those nachos - he’ll probably eat anything.

5. Guys are lean machines
Boys, on average, have a 40 percent protein to 15 percent body fat ratio, while girls have a 23 percent protein, 25 percent body fat ratio.

• Eat that pie! Studies show that guys prefer girls who aren’t super skinny.

6. Not all dudes are dogs
The belief that all guys cheat is not true! If you were cheated on in the past, don’t assume your new guy will do the same.

• Ooze self-respect and you show a boy that you won’t tolerate cheating.

7. They think red plaid goes with green stripes
Ten million guys are colour-blind.

• Explain to your boy the scientific basis of his match-challenged choices and he’ll be sure to let you use your girl’s eye on his wardrobe.

8. They gotta win
Testosterone and vasopressin (male hormones) propel guys to seek out competitive groups, sports and one-upmanship.

• Telling him he’s the best at something will help satisfy his need to be on top.

9. Dudes drain more easily
One study showed that guys performed better at races requiring short bursts of energy - but pooped out faster over the long haul.

• That mall marathon you have planned? Make sure he gets frequent snack breaks.

10. They’ve got tough hides
A guy’s skin is ten times less sensitive to touch than a girl’s.

• Instead of gentle caresses, like arm tickles, squeeze his hand.

11. But they do have feelings!
Most guys aren’t insensitive. They do care how people feel and whether they do something that hurts them.

• Try to understand that boys have to balance their soft side with societal pressure to be “macho”.

12. Guys suck at remembering stuff
Oh no! He forgot your birthday! Tragic, but forgivable, since the part of a guy’s brain that contributes significantly to memory (the hippocampus) is smaller than a girl’s.

• Sometimes they really do forget things. Just telling him important information once is not enough - repeat yourself until it sticks.

13. They are gonna blow up
Testosterone can push guys toward quick tension release. Like, if he smashes his knee against a table, he’ll probably kick the offending piece of furniture.

• Don’t take it personally. But if a boy ever directs his anger at you or becomes physically or emotionally abusive even once, walk away immediately!

14. They clam up under stressV When a guy has a problem, old Mr. T. (aka testosterone) can send him into loner mode. Plus his punier supply of oxytocin and serotonin, (brain chemicals that inspire bonding and calm), make it tough for him to talk about what’s bugging him before trying to work it out for himself.

• Back off till he chills out. If boys say everything is fine, it means they don’t want to talk about it until later.

15. Guys love to gab, really
The monosyllabic nature of The O.C.’s Ryan is a myth! A study found that guys initiate more conversations and spend more time talking in groups of guys and gals than girls do.

• Start chatting him up - he’ll probably surprise you.

16. But they hate being interrupted
Males resist being interrupted - and they associate being cut off with a loss of dominance.

• Once you get him talking, don’t bust in when he’s mid-sentence.

17. Guys get bad bouts of hiccups more often than girls
How’s that for a totally useless random fact?

• Actually, it’s not so random. If your crush gets a case, kiss him! A surprise move is a popular home remedy, since it’s believed to divert nerve activity to a different area.

18. They’ll drive you crazy!
A recent study found guys have killer confidence when it comes to navigating new places.

• When you’re on the road, let him lead. But take a map and directions - just because he thinks he’ll be able to find it doesn’t mean he will.

19. Guys are weak in the nose
Their sense of smell is not the best.

• He probably won’t notice the subtleties of that super-pricey perfume you love.

20. Every boy is unique
Yeah, all boys aren’t the same. If you want to find someone compatible with you, look around, sample!

• If you think boys are all the same, you haven’t looked very hard.

¹ Adapted from an article by Lisa Flanagan, in Teen People February 2004, pp. 104-105

Sources: Helen Fisher, Ph.D., author of Why We Love; Michael Gurian, author of What Could He Be Thinking? and A Fine Young Man; The Western Journal of Medicine , January 1999; Las Vegas Review - Journal, September 8, 2003; American Family Physician , July 1995; Cathy Yingling, PR21: “Why Life is Sweeter For Some,” Nature News Service, 2001; University of Wit Waters Rand Research, “Peak Performance”; Howard Hughes Medical Institute;