SPECIAL – Combating the manosphere in schools

Adolescence, the gripping Netflix drama, has stopped parents, teachers and parenting experts in their tracks. Suddenly everyone’s talking about toxic masculinity, the gender divide and whether there’s a crisis of modern boyhood.  

Female teachers and students report being sworn at, sexually harassed and physically threatened in schools by male students, due in part to the influence of Andrew Tate and others like him in the “manosphere”. 

 Why do these “manfluencers” have such a big impact on our boys? And what can we do to guide them away from hateful, misogynistic and extremist beliefs of the “red pill community” that’s being fed to them by online algorithms? 

Dr Stephanie Wescott is a former teacher who has studied Andrew Tate’s and other influencers' impact on teens. She joins Bec Sparrow and a teacher who shares what’s happening in your child’s classroom. 

The advice provided in this podcast is general in nature and does not take into account your personal situation. If you require further advice specific to your needs, please consult a professional. 

• Guest: Dr Stephanie Wescott
• Producers: Hannah Reich, Josie Sargent 
• Supervising Producer: Tamar Cranswick
• Executive Producer: Alex Lollback
• Sound design: Ann-Marie de Bettencor