With all the buzz geek culture receives, you would think it would be easy for parents to look up how to connect through their kids' geeky interests, but it is more trying than ever. It is not a secret that keeping up with your children can be a challenge. You work hard, make sacrifices, and try to relate to your kids, but it can be an uphill battle when their interests, opinions, and habits change like the seasons. Relating to geeks, though, can be even harder.
Not every parent grew up with a geeky lifestyle to draw from. We do not all have a wealth of video games or fantasy movies to "geek out" about when we share them with our kids for the first time. And when we turn to the Internet to learn more about geek culture, the information out there feels mysterious, critical, or confusing. Altogether, connecting with a Pokémon-crazed kid is not as easy as helping them with their multiplication tables.
This book breaks down the best geek entertainment available for child development. Out of the eight most common engagement opportunities within geek culture, this book serves as a guide from a research-backed and evidence based perspective. By the time you reach the last page, you will have a guide to finding common ground with your child that will help you as a parent foster a better relationship, and maybe a new favorite hobby.
Dr. Anthony Bean is a seasoned psychologist known for his diverse expertise and innovative approach to mental health. With a wealth of experience, he specializes in areas such as video game addiction, psychological assessments, and therapeutic interventions. Dr. Bean is a sought-after expert in media, frequently contributing insights on psychological topics. His research spans contemporary issues, contributing valuable insights to both academic and practical domains. Known for a dynamic and engaging presence, Dr. Bean is dedicated to fostering well-being through a holistic understanding of mental health, making him a trusted figure in the field.
"Once again Dr. Bean proves himself indispensable to our understanding of gaming, gamers and all things geek culture. This book is essential for parents of geeks, those doing therapy with geeks and even geeks themselves. Geeks of the world unite!" - Chris Ferguson PhD, Professor of psychology at Stetson University and Coauthor of Moral Combat: Why the War on Violent Video Games is Wrong
"Dr. Bean's attention to cultural details of the geek community has created an important book for parents to read, understand geek culture, and connect with their children in meaningful ways that are backed by evidence based clinical psychology – a must for any parent of a child who enjoys geek Culture." - Patrick Weaver, LPC, Therapeutic Game Master
"Integrating geek culture into therapeutic practice has been one of the best things we have ever done for our practice and now we have the resource for parents that was missing. Any parent who wants to understand their child better and connect with them on a deeper level needs to read this book." - Alexandra Marks, PsyD, Clinical Testing Director at The Telos Project.
