How Educators can Address the Rise of Rigid Masculinities

Young people are increasingly holding more traditional views around gender roles, particularly young men and boys aged 15-24 years old, according to recent research by e61 Institute. With more young people feeling excluded as stereotypical versions of masculinity have come under criticism, many are turning to social media and online forums in search of a place to feel welcome or a sense of belonging.

In an alarming number of cases, this is leading young men and boys to interact with harmful online content and go down the rabbit hole of the manosphere, without the critical thinking and support needed to get out at the right time.

One of the biggest contributing factors to this trend is online influencers and the nature of social media algorithms. For example, a recent viral video clip of Chris Griffin, host of The Pocket Podcast, highlighted his preferences for a partner with traditional gender roles, including not wanting her “complaining” about her day when she got home and instead wanting his partner’s eyes to “light up with excitement” when discussing her daily activities. He also said he would not want his partner "working unless she wants to work", inferring that the man is assumed to be the breadwinner.

While comments like these may seem harmless, educators and community leaders have a responsibility to recognise and act upon the real harm they can and already are causing. Our Watch's Respectful Relationships Education (RRE) blueprint highlights that rigid forms of masculinity are a gendered driver of violence, also contributing to gendered violence in schools. Furthermore, a recent Movember report found more than two-thirds of young men in Australia are turning to masculinity influencers, and 27% of those feel “worthlessness”.

Educators are Influencers, too - It’s Time to be Proactive
The globally trending hashtag #notallboys draws attention to how many young people around the world are feeling attacked by women and other leaders in their schools and communities. A proven antidote to these feelings of exclusion is taking proactive steps to call young people into conversations, and creating a safe space for honest conversations.

Online influencers have a reach and impact that is rapidly growing due to the way social media algorithms exacerbate the accessibility of harmful content if it proves to be of interest to others within the same demographic. However, this does not mean that influencers in a young person’s offline world are powerless. In fact, it’s the opposite.

Educators can have a significant impact through role modelling, encouraging, and welcoming healthier masculinities in all its forms. The key is to be proactive and make a conscious proactive effort, rather than reacting to issues as they arise or assuming young people will be able to analyse online content safely without their support.

Navigating the Spectrum of Masculinity
The core of the harm caused by rigid masculinities is the belief that there is one way to be a man - this is usually associated with physical, emotional, and financial dominance. For young people who cannot identify with this image, many are left feeling inferior, lesser than, or emasculated. As a result, it can be tempting to feel the need to make up for their perceived lack of masculinity by embarking on harmful or even violent actions. Educators can play a critical role in disrupting this narrative by highlighting the countless ways to be a “man” or be “masculine”.

Being tall, short, sporty, bookish, artistic or addicted to gaming are not individually or collectively definitions of being a man. Instead, they are examples of the many attributes that young men and boys can have, and can all reflect masculinity. Educators can display this through their own actions in the classroom, as well as encourage different personalities and attributes among their students to normalise the broad range of healthy and positive masculinities in society.

How the Government can Help Schools Help Students
Research-based consent and respectful relationships education (CRRE) is known to mitigate the impacts of harmful masculinity and online content, while upskilling teachers with proven strategies for addressing rigid masculinities in the classroom. An ongoing challenge in delivering CRRE, though, is funding.

CRRE requires long-term, consistent, and sufficient funding to enable schools to roll out this important part of the curriculum in an inclusive and evidence-based way. The government has an opportunity to commit to this for the long term, while also providing the resources to help schools sustain staff training in this field as the online landscape continues to evolve.

As the rhetoric of harmful influencers continues to seep into the classroom, it can be understandably daunting for educators to know how to address this growing issue in a constructive way. Know that you are not alone. We need to have a whole-of-society and whole-of-industry commitment to create safe and inclusive schools, and every individual has an opportunity and responsibility to proactively drive this change.