To quell the problem, we must name the problem: the role of social media ‘manfluencers’ in boys’ sexist behaviours in school settings

KEY POINTS

What is already known about this topic:

• (1) Sexism and sexual harassment are longstanding issues in schools, identified by decades of research.

• (2) Young people who view social media masculinity ‘influencer’ content are more likely to normalise controlling and other harmful behaviours.

• (3) Narrow and limiting social constructions of masculinity are harmful for boys and young men’s mental and general health.

What this topic adds:

• (1) Content by the most prominent masculinity influencer, Andrew Tate, has infiltrated classrooms across Australia; his tropes, quotes and ideas are invoked regularly by students.

• (2) Women teachers report a noticeable shift in boys’ behaviour and attitudes towards women and girls that they attribute to Tate’s influence.

• (3) Women teachers need greater support from school leadership to address boys’ concerning attitudes and behaviour to make their workplace safe.

KEYWORDS:

• Sexism
• women teachers
• social media
• masculinity
• boys
• misogyny

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).

Notes

1. Over 60 women signed up in a matter of a few weeks.

2. See e.g., Trott (2022) on men’s reaction to the famous Gillette advisement.