Teachers are finding it hard to connect with boys and young men influenced by online misogynists. A study of 467 teachers in various schools in England revealed some concerning findings.

Many teachers admitted they didn’t have the time to delve into discussions about masculinity with boys. Only a third could recall having conversations about masculinity in the classroom.

Even when teachers did make time for these discussions, they found it challenging. Some reported encountering toxic language and faced resistance from students who idolized figures promoting toxic masculinity.

One teacher mentioned the difficulty of having these conversations with boys, especially when they were dismissive or resistant to alternative viewpoints. Another teacher noted that some boys struggled to accept a woman leading these discussions.

Researchers emphasized the importance of addressing negative influencers like Andrew Tate in the classroom. These influencers feed off real issues faced by boys and use them to spread misogynistic views, ultimately affecting relationships between students and teachers.

Despite these challenges, some teachers were able to engage in productive conversations about masculinity and misogyny with their students. These discussions helped students gain new perspectives and reflect on societal expectations of masculinity.

The study, conducted by Boys’ Impact, aimed to understand and bridge the gap in educational outcomes for boys and young men from disadvantaged backgrounds. It shed light on the need for more open and honest discussions about masculinity in the classroom.