Dr Sophie King-Hill comments on Labour's proposal to target Andrew Tate-style misogyny in schools with more positive social media influencers.
Credit: Sam Balye (Unsplash)
It is commendable that Labour is recognising that more needs to be done for young men and boys. However, is this what young people want? They consistently tell us that they want safe spaces to unpick issues that impact them.
Role models matter, but without the input of youth voices, they lack authenticity. My research and that of others tell us that boys need support, to be listened to, to stop being blamed and to have their vulnerabilities recognised.
This is where the vacuum has come from and where figures like Andrew Tate have got traction. Rather than just filling the void with another influencer, we need to redefine how we see young men, masculinity, and boyhood, not just with temporary fixes, but with a fundamental shift in societal perception and education.
Associate Professor
Dr Sophie King-Hill is a Senior Fellow in HSMC at the University of Birmingham.
