“She’s the most beautiful girl in town. That makes her the best, and don’t I deserve the best?” Remember this line from Gaston in Beauty and the Beast? It probably doesn’t register as disrespectful with kids, but it certainly is. In this episode of the All Pro Dad Podcast, host Ted Lowe is joined by BJ Foster and Bobby Lewis to talk about how to raise sons to respect women.

Why This Matters

Women are to be respected, not exploited. The lessons we teach our sons about respecting women will hopefully become habits when they become men.

Things women are NOT:
-Items, objects, or a means to an end
-Inferior

Things Women ARE:
-A blessing
-Partners
-Worthy of respect

Teaching boys how to respect women is important because:
-Boys have sisters, who are worthy of respect
-Boys will date girls, who are worthy of respect
-Boys will become men and possibly husbands
-Dads teach their sons what it means to be a man

If you’re wondering what do to teach your sons about respecting women, you’re not alone. Start here:
1. Point out problematic phrases directed at women:
Objectifying, controlling, and sexualized language is not respectful.
2. Listen to girls/women:  
When a girl says “____,” respect her wishes. No means no.
3. Set a standard:
Model respect with the women you interact with. Show respect with your words, actions, and entertainment decisions. Your sons will see that.
4. Follow the standard, not the crowd:
Remind kids that they don’t have to go along with what other boys accept, popularize, or glamorize about women.   

Important Episode Timestamps

• 00:00 – 01:20 | Hidden Messages Are Everywhere
  Bobby revisits Beauty and the Beast and realizes as a dad how Gaston’s attitude reflects a culture that objectifies women.

• 01:20 – 02:43 | Teaching Kids to See Value Beyond Looks
  The dads discuss how movies and media can shape kids’ views on beauty, worth, and respect.
• 02:43 – 04:42 | Reducing People to Appearances
  The dads unpack how women are often valued only for beauty and why we must teach our sons and daughters otherwise.
• 04:42 – 08:09 | Respect Starts at Home
  The dads reflect on how small moments of listening, kindness, and example-setting build lifelong respect for women.
• 08:09 – 09:47 | A Friend’s Dating Frustration
  The hosts share how a coworker’s dating frustrations sparked the idea to address how men can treat women better.
• 09:47 – 12:18 | Boys, Teasing, and Early Lessons in Respect
  BJ talks about teaching his son not to tease girls—a behavior many boys mistake for showing affection.
• 12:18 – 15:25 | Is Respect Instinctive or Taught?
  The group debates whether boys naturally understand respect for women or if dads must intentionally train it.
• 15:25 – 17:33 | Setting Boundaries for Sons
  Dads explain how boys can admire beauty without crossing lines into objectification or entitlement.
• 17:33 – 20:21 | Listen When Women Speak
  They emphasize the importance of hearing women’s voices, validating their experiences, and teaching sons that “no means no.”
• 20:21 – End | Raising Sons Who Honor Future Wives
  Ted reminds dads that how they teach their sons to treat women today will shape their future marriages—and the families they lead.
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APD Pro Move:
Challenge your son(s) to talk to a girl he knows and ask her if she feels respected by boys. Encourage him to listen and respond kindly.

Sponsor:
The All Pro Dad Podcast is proudly brought to you by Family First, a nonprofit dedicated to equipping parents with resources to strengthen their families. Learn more at FamilyFirst.net.