While sexual harassment in schools is not new and has been extensively documented in research and media, teachers now report an alarming trend – a growing culture of not only sexual harassment but also language and behaviours that express male superiority and misogynistic views among boys.
In 2023, academics from Monash University published a study on how anti-feminist ‘manfluencer’ Andrew Tate has infiltrated Australian schools, and the impact it has been having on young people.
According to eSafety Commissioner Julie Inman Grant, young men are navigating a confusing landscape of conflicting ideals, exacerbated by the influence of online figures such as Tate.
“Navigating adolescence and early adulthood has always been a confronting rite of passage, but this is one of the first generations to grow up in a world straddling the offline and online dimensions, with the online world becoming an increasingly potent force,” Inman Grant said.
“Young men are also coming of age against a backdrop of complicated and contested public discussions about what modern-day masculinity means, potentially making the process of figuring out who they are and what they stand for more confusing and fraught.”
Recognising this, a pilot program at a Sunshine Coast school is inspiring young men to step up as leaders and create a healthier version of masculinity.
The ‘Leading Men at Flinders’ program for boys, launched by Matthew Flinders Anglican College, is designed to address concerns in society about ‘toxic masculinity’, violence, matters of consent and respectful relationships.
The initiative provides authentic events, mentoring by inspiring role models and leadership experiences for boys to build their confidence; deepen their understanding of ethical leadership; and promote their capacity to serve as role models of positive masculinity.
College Principal Michelle Carroll said the bespoke program was based on leading research that recognises the importance of leadership skills and having positive role models to the healthy development of young men.
“There is no doubt that boys are navigating complex times and that schools must play a proactive, positive role in guiding them through,” Carroll said. “At Flinders, we are determined to support all students in learning how to lead their own lives in healthy ways while contributing respectfully to society.
Caroll added that the College’s initiative empowers boys to “stand out from the crowd in positive ways so they can grow as connected, caring and motivated young men.”
Connecting boys with positive role models and mentors
The Leading Men at Flinders program is guided by Dr Louise McCuaig, the Head of the Flinders Discovery Institute, along with Mr Duncan Greenbank, the Head of Senior School, and Mr Gary Davis, the Head of Studies.
“At Flinders, we consider it a true joy to work with teenage boys, with their quick wit, quizzical silences, energetic physicality and passionate loyalty,” Dr McCuaig said.
“We firmly believe that masculinity is not toxic, but as a College we recognise the critical role we must play in supporting gender equality while empowering young men to grow and contribute in respectful ways.”
Dr McCuaig said the research shows a marked reticence amongst boys to get involved and lead.
“So, we are committed to building opportunities at Flinders for our boys to learn from positive role models and be courageous in guiding each other with care,” she said.
“The College is delighted to have the Honourable Justice David Boddice acting as the program ‘Champion’ to mentor the students over three Leading Men events this year, including a recent Father’s Day breakfast event where he shared insights from the Supreme Courts on how to support young men's wellbeing and future success.”
The Honourable Justice David Boddice was appointed a judge of the Queensland Court of Appeal in 2023 and prior, spent almost 13 years as a Justice of the Supreme Court.
Justice Boddice spoke at the Leading Men Father’s Day Breakfast on Thursday, 29 August to inspire fathers and carers of boys to support their young men through adolescence and beyond.
Earlier in the year, in May, the Leading Men program provided a unique mentoring session for 12 students in Years 11 and 12 with Justice Boddice on campus at Flinders.
Justice Boddice and the students explored the issues facing young men who are dealt with in the courts, the myths associated with violence amongst young men and the role that male leaders can play in addressing these challenges.
The students then joined Judge Boddice for a guided tour through the Supreme Courts in Brisbane as a real-world learning experience.
After the tour, the 12 students were then hosted by three University of Queensland academics - Professor Tim Carroll, Dr Stephen Townsend and Dr Dillon Landi - who shared their perspectives on positive masculinity.
Boys learning how to step up as positive leaders to their peers
The Leading Men program also invites Year 12 students at Flinders to step into leadership roles to support their younger peers in learning about ethical leadership and the value of becoming respectful role models.
“As educators at Flinders, we have been delighted by the thoughtful feedback, respectful participation and energetic investment our boys have demonstrated during our Leading Men events,” Dr McCuaig said.
“The Leading Men Breakfast featured inspiring speeches by two of our Year 12 boys, Tom and Jay, who shared the life lessons from their fathers and role models about being a male and also how their understanding of positive masculinity had grown through the program.”
In speaking on behalf of his fellow Leading Men, Tom unpacked how emotions are central to positive masculinity and acknowledged the value in dealing with them in a way that’s healthy.
And at the Father’s Day Breakfast, they called on their fathers to help them with that challenge.
Jay noted the boys had learnt from Dr Stephen Townsend that masculinity remains positive when it is grounded in ‘care’. So, whether the boys are showing physical strength, confidence or being stoic, Jay explained it is a positive expression of masculinity when underpinned by care - for themselves and others.
The day after the Leading Men Breakfast at Flinders, The Weekend Australian published an article (August 31-1 September, 2024) and quoted British-American researcher Richard Reeves who in 2022 published his book, “Why the Modern Male Is Struggling, Why It Matters, and What to Do about It.”
In the article, Reeves noted: “...masculinity doesn’t invent itself. And so if we think it needs to be to some extent created, then we need to do some of the creating, and not leave that to the people who are online.”
Dr McCuaig was encouraged by these words, as it confirmed the value and timeliness of the Leading Men at Flinders program.