UK Schools Try New Approach to Combat Rising Misogyny

When almost half of UK teachers say misogyny is a problem in their schools, the instinct might be to crack down hard on boys. But researchers are discovering that treating young men only as potential perpetrators creates exactly the opposite effect we want.

A 2025 YouGov survey found 45% of teachers across UK primary and secondary schools describe misogynistic attitudes among boys as problematic. In secondary schools specifically, 54% of teachers say boys openly express misogynistic views fairly or very often.

The UK government responded in December 2025 with a strategy calling for a "generational shift" in awareness. The plan includes a helpline for those displaying abusive behaviors, an overhauled sex education curriculum covering topics like masculinity and online misogyny, and support for boys who are themselves victims of harmful behavior.

Here's the surprising part. When researcher Ellie Buxton ran focus groups with 35 men across the UK for her Ph.D. research, she discovered something crucial. Approaches that frame boys only as the problem trigger defensive responses and backlash, making young men disengage entirely from the conversation.

The men in her focus groups felt blamed and uneasy about prevention measures focused solely on them. That feeling of being targeted shuts down the very conversations we need to have.

But there's genuinely good news. When education addresses gender inequality and violence without placing blame, the same men showed widespread support. They wanted to be part of the solution, just not treated as inherently guilty.

Organizations like Beyond Equality are proving this works in real classrooms. The charity runs discussion-based workshops in schools and workplaces where boys reflect on masculinity, gender expectations, and sexist behaviors through a lens of personal development rather than accusation.

Their compassionate, participant-led approach is getting results. A recent survey found 84% of students said the workshops helped them learn about masculine stereotypes, healthy relationships, and tackling gender-based violence.

Another successful strategy involves young people designing their own solutions. Researcher Sophie King-Hill worked collaboratively with students to create relationship and sex education resources, centering the voices of the people these issues affect most.

Bystander intervention training also shows promise by encouraging boys and men to speak up when they witness misogynistic behavior. Instead of being told they're the problem, they're empowered to be the solution.

The Ripple Effect

When we shift from blame to collaboration, the impact extends far beyond individual classrooms. Boys who feel respected and heard in these conversations become advocates among their peers, creating cultural change from within. Research shows young men who conform to rigid masculinity ideals are much more likely to perpetuate violence, so helping them question those expectations benefits everyone.

The government's largely gender-neutral language in the new strategy reflects this understanding. While violence against women is primarily perpetrated by men, the solution requires treating men and boys as partners in change, not just problems to fix.

Treating young men with compassion while addressing serious issues isn't weakness. It's the most effective path forward to creating lasting change and safer communities for everyone.