Young men preparing for adulthood
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
Before the world teaches them wrong, give them a standard.
About The Standard
The Standard is a character, literacy, and leadership project created by Carl Wesley.
It gives young people and the adults who guide them practical language for identity, discipline, accountability, self-respect, emotional strength, decision-making, and leadership.
The work begins with the book and continues through resources for families, schools, churches, mentoring programs, games, future curriculum, apparel, and media projects built around the same principles.
Who This Book Is For
Built for young men and those who guide them.
Parents raising sons without direction
Educators working with boys who need structure
Coaches and mentors shaping character
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 InformationWhat 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
Join The Standard Mailing List
Get updates, exclusive announcements, discount codes, free resources, new releases, and future projects connected to The Standard.
Free Resource
Before the Consequences Arrive
A Parent and Mentor Field Guide
A practical, interactive guide that helps parents and mentors understand behavior, respond with clarity, teach wise decisions, explain real-world consequences, and prepare young men before pressure arrives.
Author: Carl Wesley, M.Ed.
Resource type: Free Parent and Mentor Guide
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
Level Up
Explore Level Up, complete Python-style missions, and restore community systems through logic, discipline, service, and leadership.
Digital Editions
Read it. Hear it. Return to it.
The print, PDF, coloring book, and audiobook editions carry practical lessons for young men, parents, educators, mentors, coaches, and youth leaders.
Editions
Purchase Options
Kindle
$9.99
A clean Kindle edition for reading, studying, and revisiting the lessons.
- Kindle digital access
- Readable on phone, tablet, or Kindle device
- Reflection sections included
Hardcover
$24.99
A premium hardcover edition for readers, families, schools, programs, and mentoring spaces.
- Premium hardcover edition
- Built for study and discussion
- Ideal for gifts and programs
Paperback
$19.99
A readable paperback edition for students, families, mentoring groups, and everyday study.
- Paperback print edition
- Built for reading and discussion
- Accessible option for individual readers and groups
Coloring Book
$12.99
A companion coloring book designed to reinforce the message with reflection, creativity, and conversation.
- Creative companion product
- Great for youth programs and families
- Supports reflection through visual engagement
The Standard Audiobook
$14.99
Listen to The Standard: What Young Men Need Before the World Teaches Them Wrong by Carl Wesley, M.Ed.
- Identity, discipline, emotional control, and education
- Relationships, leadership, faith, and purpose
- Private streaming access instructions delivered after checkout
Secure checkout through Stripe.After purchase, you'll create your password for Private Streaming Access.
The Standard: What Young Ladies Need to Know
Coming Soon
A companion edition for young ladies, families, mentors, educators, and leaders.
- Young ladies edition in development
- Designed for guided reflection and conversation
- Release details coming soon
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