Praise for How To Raise Kids Who Aren’t Assholes

“Amid Trump, #MeToo and rising hate crime, science writer Melinda Wenner Moyer decided it was time to learn how to stop her kids becoming ‘assholes’. Her research became an unusual, much-needed parenting book.”

— The Guardian

“Is it bad to pressure kids to get good grades? Will playing too many videogames rot my kid’s brain? How can I raise my children to be anti-racist? There’s an (over)abundance of answers to those questions—and everyone is more than happy to tell you why their answers are right—but most of what parents hear isn’t based on any real science. In Melinda Wenner Moyer’s new book, perfectly titled How to Raise Kids Who Aren’t Assholes, the science writer surveys the latest studies to inform ‘science-based strategies for better parenting.'”

— Boing Boing

“Science journalist Melinda Wenner Moyer cuts through the data… She looks at research on gunplay, screen time, shyness, resilience and more, helping parents effectively send the message that kindness matters.”

— CNN

“It’s one thing to say you don’t want your kid to be an asshole. This book gives you data-driven, research-based tools to actually achieve it.”

— Emily Oster, PhD, author of Cribsheet and Expecting Better

“I can’t think of a more important life lesson than ‘don’t be an asshole.’ Unfortunately, many kids don’t learn it—because many parents fail to teach it. Thanks to this book, they no longer have an excuse. It’s a smart, engaging, honest, and surprisingly useful read about how to nurture decency and generosity.”

— Adam Grant, author of Think Again

“Wenner Moyer crafts a winning guide for parents who wish to build a ‘better, fairer, stronger world.’ This delightful mix of strategy and humor shouldn’t be missed.”

– Publisher’s Weekly, Starred review

“Most parents say we want our children to be kind, compassionate people. Yet everything in the culture urges us to teach something else . . . Melinda Wenner Moyer weaves cutting edge science with accessible stories and actionable tips to help us rebalance those crucial scales, to be the parents we know we can be—and, truly, to raise children who aren’t assholes.”

— Peggy Orenstein, author of Girls & Sex and Boys & Sex

“Moyer probes the research on how to encourage kids to be generous, honest, helpful and kind. She reviews studies on how to instill egalitarian beliefs and make sure kids know how to stand up against racism and sexism. And she talks to scientists about perennial parental struggles such as sibling rivalry, teaching safe sex and moderating screen time.”

— Scientific American

“If the title alone doesn’t make you fall in love with the book, I’m not sure what to tell you. Wenner Moyer is a science journalist who realized that despite books that tell us how to do nearly everything in parenting, there wasn’t a book that helped you to raise kids who weren’t, well…assholes. This is an interesting, fact-based look at how to do just that. (Also, I suspect that if you bring this to the playground, it will attract like-minded mom friends!)”

— Book Riot

“How can parents raise kids who believe in themselves and in building a better, more compassionate future? This book provides the roadmap. Filled with actionable, sometimes surprising, always data-driven ideas, Melinda Wenner Moyer has given us an invaluable resource.”

— Madeline Levine, PhD, author of The Price of Privilege and Ready or Not   

“Crucial, timely, and wise. This is the parenting handbook for raising the next generation.”

— Carla Naumburg, PhD, author of How to Stop Losing Your Sh*t With Your Kids 

“If you are a parent who wants to know that your parenting energies are tried and true, tested and trusted, this book is the place where you can plant your flag.”

— Mark McConville, PhD, author of Failure to Launch