Whilst recent headlines reveal that one in five young men who have heard of the self-proclaimed misogyny influencer, Andrew Tate, think favourably of him and that female pupils and teachers are reporting an increase in sexual abuse in the classroom, the sad truth is many young men are struggling with their mental health, feeling lonely and undervalued in their communities.
It was no surprise then that our first online Youth Work Insight session, entitled Breaking Stereotypes: Navigating Misogyny with Young Men, brought together over 180 sector professionals to hear from experts on how they can further their practice with teenage boys and young men.
Youth workers understand that adolescents’ understanding of masculinity is informed by the different influences and cultures they are exposed to. The luxurious lifestyle of the self-proclaimed ‘misogyny influencer’, Andrew Tate, has provided an alluring ideology for young men looking to mask their vulnerability and maintain a social status within their peer group.
Through creating a space for open and honest conversations, youth workers create a learning environment where misogynistic behaviour and perceptions of women can be challenged.
Louise Mullany, Professor of Sociolinguistics at the University of Nottingham, described how misogynistic views which might be called out in the real world are able to flourish online: “Hate crime and death threats for example have exploded in society since the advent of social media. The inhibitors we rely on such as body language are gone. Our young people need to be given the skills to recognise that aggression in an online space has the same negative impact on people. There’s also a permanent record of comments made digitally, and things can go viral very quickly, which makes it much more difficult to contain.”
In the session, Michael McKenna, Assistant Director with YouthAction Northern Ireland, highlighted that: “adolescents males often have a restrictive understanding of what is brave and courageous but youth workers, through the relationship of trust and understanding of the context of young men’s lives, can open up conversations about masculinity and masculinities that enable them to look at healthy and unhealthy behaviours.”
Furthermore, enabling young people to have a say on issues that matter to them in their communities, improving their interpersonal skills, providing them with positive role models and helping them to gain agency over their own lives are fundamental to building confident young men.
Ben Hurst, the Head of Facilitation and Training at Beyond Equality, explained: “It’s important to point out that we treat young men like adults who have full cognitive ability, and they are still adolescents and developing empathy. They’re experiencing puberty and developing their own personality and are leaning into danger and boundaries and are not aware of the impact of their behaviours long-term.”
In short, the session affirmed that whilst the challenges for youth workers contending with misogynistic beliefs are great, they are well placed to support young men to explore their masculinity, define their personal values and how they wish to be seen by others, as a vehicle for changing prejudiced attitudes and behaviours.
NYA’s Youth Work Insight and Connect practice sessions are designed to provide spaces for critical reflection, debate, sharing latest research and best practice about working with young people. Keep your eyes peeled for the next in this series of gender focused sessions. Visit: NYA Events.
With thanks to our guest panellists:
Ben Hurst: Head of Facilitation and Training at Beyond Equality (formerly The Good Lad Initiative), a UK-based organisation that engages men and boys in the gender equality conversation across schools, universities and corporate spaces, rethinking masculinities and promoting positive personhood and healthy relationships. Ben’s work focuses on dismantling the gendered stereotypes that men inhabit and encouraging them to explore their own relationships to masculinity.
Louise Mullany: Professor of Sociolinguistics at the University of Nottingham UK. Louise has researched communication and inequality for the last 25 years and published books and articles. She has delivered research-based consultancy and training in diversity and inclusion to over 300 businesses and organisations. Recent work focuses on gender-based violence and hate crime in public spaces.
Dr Pete Harris: Programme leader for MA Criminology and Social Justice at Birmingham Newman University. Pete spent 18 years as a youth worker and then a senior manager for a children’s charity before joining Newman University. He holds a BA in Social Policy, a Dip.H.E. in Youth and Community Work and an M.A. in Education Studies. Research interests include how psychosocial criminology can inform relationships between youth practitioners and young people involved in violence, gender-based abuse and violence in schools.
Michael McKenna: Assistant Director with YouthAction Northern Ireland. A professionally qualified youth worker, he graduated with a B.Phil (ED) degree in Youth and Community Work and holds a MSc in Youth and Community Work. He has 31 years’ history working in the youth and community sector. He is a member of the Department for Communities Gender Strategy Co-Design Group, The Executive Office Ending Violence Against Women & Girls Co-Design Group and a board member of Global Action on Men’s Health.
Connect and carry on the conversation on Youth Work One by clicking the forum link below:
Youth Work One is the NYA’s one stop shop for those working with young people. The website hosts free guidance and resources to support compliance with the law as well as the sharing of best practice, funding and training opportunities and jobs. Create an account to sign in and join the community.
Related resources:
National Youth Work Curriculum
Level 4 Certificate in Professional Development (Youth Work)
