A Guide for Young Men

The StandardWhat Young Men Need Before the World Teaches Them Wrong

Before the world teaches them wrong, give them a standard.

Carl Wesley Publishing

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The Standard book cover by Carl Wesley, M.Ed.

Before the world teaches them wrong, give them a standard.

Families, mentors, educators, and community leaders are putting The Standard into real hands and real conversations.

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About The Standard

The Standard is a character, literacy, and leadership project created by Carl Wesley.

It gives young people, families, educators, mentors, coaches, and community leaders practical tools for identity, discipline, accountability, self-respect, emotional strength, decision-making, and leadership.

The project includes books, companion products, audiobook access, interactive games, school and group use, mentoring conversations, mailing list updates, and practical resources for families and programs.

The work is also being built for long-term growth: school curriculum, youth programs, apparel, cartoons, full series, and scripted films. Each extension will be based on The Standard principles and built to carry the same message in a format young people can read, watch, wear, discuss, and apply.

The original book, The Standard: What Young Men Need Before the World Teaches Them Wrong, focuses on personal development for young men. The project also supports young ladies, parents, schools, churches, mentoring programs, and leaders who want clear tools for character, purpose, and responsible decision-making.

The goal is to help young people understand who they are, how to carry themselves, and how to make better decisions before the world tries to define them.

Who This Book Is For

Built for young men and those who guide them.

Young African American men preparing for adulthood

Young men preparing for adulthood

Parents raising sons without direction

Educator working with boys in a structured classroom

Educators working with boys who need structure

Coaches and mentors shaping character

Youth leader guiding young people toward a stronger future

Youth leaders building stronger futures

For Schools & Groups

Bring The Standard to your school or mentoring program.

Carl can help organizations select the right edition and discuss how The Standard can support conversations around leadership, discipline, identity, responsibility, and better decision-making.

SchoolsChurchesMentoring programsYouth organizationsCoachesCommunity organizations

Contact Carl for Group Information

What Young Men Will Learn

Standards that hold up in real life.

Identity before image

Discipline before attention

Emotional control before reaction

Responsibility before excuses

Purpose before popularity

Leadership before status

Stay Connected

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Get updates, exclusive announcements, discount codes, free resources, new releases, and future projects connected to The Standard.

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Ask Carl

Ask about books, groups, games, and the mission.

Ask Carl is an AI guide for The Standard ecosystem. It can help with books, audiobook access, mentoring conversations, school or group use, games, upcoming resources, purchasing, and contact next steps.

Interactive Learning