We need more male teachers so British boys have role models, says minister

The Guardian ^ | Thu 3 Apr 2025 | Richard Adams

[MinorityRepublican]

The fate of boys “is a defining issue of our time”, according to the education secretary, Bridget Phillipson, as she calls for more men to become teachers to combat “toxic” behaviours.

Speaking at a conference on Thursday, Phillipson will warn that boys and young men growing up in Britain need stronger role models to counteract the dangers they face, illustrated by the Netflix series Adolescence.

“It’s clear the behaviour of boys, their influences, and the young men they become, is a defining issue of our time,” Phillipson is to say, adding: “We need to raise a generation of boys with the strength to reject that hatred – curiosity, compassion, kindness, resilience, hope, respect.”

Keir Starmer has said Adolescence was “really hard to watch” with his teenage children. The series has been credited for invigorating public debate about the links between digital media targeting boys and misogyny.

Phillipson, addressing the first festival of children organised by the children’s commissioner for England, will say: “With toxic online influences on the rise, our boys need strong, positive male role models to look up to. At home, of course, and at school too.

“Schools can’t solve these problems alone, and responsibility starts at home with parents. But only one in four of the teachers in our schools are men. Just one in seven in nursery and primary. One in 33 in early years [education].

“And since 2010 the number of teachers in our schools has increased by 28,000 – but just 533 of those are men. That’s extraordinary. So I want more male teachers – teaching, guiding, leading the boys in their classrooms.”

[Dilbert San Diego]

But how do they reconcile this ,with us constantly being told how bad toxic masculinity is?

If toxic masculinity in such a threat to society, why aren’t they happy with disproportionate numbers of women teachers?

Maybe I’m missing something.

[Red Badger]

Where are their dads?.......................

[Dilbert San Diego]

If the UK is anything like the US, significant numbers of children do not have fathers in the home.

[Sacajaweau]

Not for nothing...but I found my male teachers to be much better teachers.

I'm an 80 year old female...

[Organic Panic]

Straight white Christian native men not welcome.

[metmom]

Dads would be better.

[rellic]

I’ll have fun with this comment
“Dads would be better.”
My dad used to demand That I spend 1 hour per day doing home work study
I could easily do most my homework in less than half an
hour.
He was a Vet going to college, and I helped him on his school work, he did not have a clue that his son
may be a more capable student than he was.
In my adulthood I started the same crap with my
daughter but I backed off. Due to what I learned as a kid.
My daughter declined to get a university degree.
But in my old age I know she will care for her mother and me just fine without any harm to her lifestyle, family, and home.
What more can a parent ask for?

[T.B. Yoits]

When we grew up and went to school
There were certain teachers who
Would hurt the children in any way they could
By pouring their derision upon anything we did
Exposing every weakness
However carefully hidden by the kid

But in the town, it was well known
When they got home at night
their fat and psychopathic wives would thrash them
within inches of their lives

Pink Floyd "The Happiest Days of Our Lives"

[T.B. Yoits]

From the article: ...education secretary, Bridget Phillipson, calls for more men to become teachers to combat “toxic” behaviours.

One more example of those who run the education system treating boys as if they were defective girls.

Let's hear about the toxic misandry administrators and teachers are brainwashing girls with.

[fireman15]

I think that this is what the English shcools have in mind.

[Thrownatbirth]

Like here, the teachers want to create a nation of wearisome dandies and pooters.

[popdonnelly]

Teaching boys that the problem is them.

[Paal Gulli]

Having men as teachers in the dusty old historic posh British public schools didn't exactly discourage the practice of pederasty, now did it?

Fagging

Fagging was a traditional practice in British public schools and also at many other boarding schools, whereby younger pupils were required to act as personal servants to the eldest boys. Although probably originating earlier, the first accounts of fagging appeared in the late 17th century.  Fagging sometimes involved physical abuse and/or sexual abuse. Although lessening in severity over the centuries, the practice continued in some institutions until the end of the 20th century.

Hint: It's still going on

[MinorityRepublican]

نحن بريطانيون

Translated into "we are British"