In this episode of Don’t Call Me Resilient, we look at the current rise of white supremacy and how that rise has filtered down into the attitudes of school-aged boys.
Anecdotally, and in polls conducted by Angus Reid and the Girl Guides of Canada, school-aged children are expressing concern about the sexist, homophobic and racist attitudes they are experiencing in their classrooms. And the research supports them: experts say the rise in far-right ideologies globally has impacted school-age students.
Many experts point to Andrew Tate, the far-right social media influencer as one of the culprits. Teachers say he has a big presence in the classroom.
On top of that, there’s been an exponential rise in antisemitism and Islamophobia in Canada that have also impacted the classroom.
Why are boys especially attracted to these hateful ideologies? As we near the National Day of Remembrance and Action on Violence Against Women on Dec. 6, we spoke with to two experts who have been thinking a lot about this question.
Teresa Fowler is an assistant professor in the Faculty of Education at Concordia University of Edmonton whose research focuses on critical white masculinities.
Lance McCready is an associate professor in the Department of Leadership, Higher and Adult Education at the Ontario Institute for Studies in Education at the University of Toronto. His research explores education, health and the well-being of Black men, boys and queer youth, especially in urban communities and schools.
Read more in The Conversation
Read more: How 'misogyny influencers' cater to young men's anxieties
Read more: Act tough and hide weakness: research reveals pressure young men are under
Read more: How schools can foster civic discussion in an age of incivility
Read more: Less talk, more action: National Day of Remembrance on Violence Against Women
Read more: Too busy for the PTA, but working-class parents care
Read more: Why critical race theory should inform schools
Resources
Inside the violent, misogynistic world of TikTok’s new star, Andrew Tate
How to Advocate at School for Yourself or Someone You Love, the first bilingual self-advocacy resource for K-12 students experiencing gender identity discrimination at school.
Rebels with a Cause: Reimagining Boys, Ourselves and Our Culture by Niobe Way
Pedagogy of the Oppressed by Paulo Freire
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