How to talk to students about misogyny

*Content warning: This article discusses male violence against women and girls including murder.

Misogyny functions as a spectrum  and whether it manifests as casual jokes, “slut shaming” or severe sexual, physical or domestic violence, it significantly contributes to danger and discrimination in women and girls’ daily lives. 

Last week, the National Police Chiefs’ Council and College of Policing deemed the UK's scale of violence against women and girls as a 'national emergency'.

In their National Policing Statement, it was reported that 3,000 crimes of violence against women and girls (VAWG) are recorded each day, with at least 1 in 12 women becoming victims each year. Given most victims don't report to the police, the End Violence Against Women Coalition suggests that the true number is likely much higher. The report also found that 1 in 20 people are estimated to be perpetrators of VAWG per year, with the actual number thought to be significantly higher.

Three weeks ago, Louise Hunt and her mother and sister were murdered by Louise's ex boyfriend Kyle Clifford with a crossbow. Clifford's neighbours said he "always seemed pretty normal". Men with misogynistic attitudes can and often do seem 'normal' because the less 'extreme' end of the misogynistic behaviour scale is so normalised in our society: in the media, in work, in our schools. 

The murders of Louise, Hannah and Carol Hunt are a stark reminder of how deeply entrenched misogynistic attitudes can escalate from seemingly harmless microaggressions within social circles, on the street or in the classroom, to violent lethal behaviour.

As teachers and educators, we hold a responsibility to address this issue head-on and ensure that our students understand the gravity of misogyny and the importance of dismantling it from an early age.

In this blog post, we'll explore effective strategies and approaches for talking to students about misogyny, emphasising the role of education in fostering a culture of respect and equality.

Understanding misogyny

Misogyny is the hatred of, contempt for, or prejudice against women. It manifests in various forms, starting from subtle, often overlooked behaviours to extreme acts of violence. Examples of misogyny that ascend in scale of extremity include:

1. Microaggressions Dismissive comments, jokes that belittle women, putting down women in conversations, talking over them/ dismissing their ideas, treating female teachers differently to male staff. During the Olympics so far, commentator Bob Ballard was fired over a sexist comment intended to be a 'joke' while a French radio commentator was called out for remarking on a female tennis player's ability to 'cook', 'clean' and 'mop'. When female athletes are at the top of their game, it's still not enough to not elicit diminishing comments that undermine their talent and value.
   

2. Sexist Stereotypes Assuming women are less competent in professional or academic settings and reinforcing gender roles that limit women's opportunities.
   

3. Harassment Catcalling, non-consensual sexual advances, and online harassment, including e-flashing (e.g. 'd*ick picks').
   

4. Discrimination Unequal pay, glass ceiling effects in careers, and gender biases.
   

5. Violence Physical assault, domestic abuse, and sexual violence.
   

6. Lethal Acts Femicide i.e. specifically targeting women with violence e.g. the shopping mall stabbings in Australia, the murders of Louise, Hannah and Carol Hunt, Sarah Everard, Sabina Nessa.
   

Why address misogyny in schools?

Schools play a pivotal role in shaping young minds and attitudes. The values and behaviours instilled in students during their formative years can have a lasting impact on their interactions and beliefs throughout their lives. 

Schools we've worked with have told us they are dealing with misogyny on a regular basis. They see male pupils discuss and promote traditional ideas about gender that promote gender inequality (e.g. that women should serve as domestic caregivers) as well as general misogynistic attitudes towards both female students and staff, including harassment and slut-shaming.

Addressing misogyny in schools is crucial for several reasons:

1. Prevention of future violence Teaching students to recognise and reject misogynistic behaviour can prevent the escalation of such attitudes into more severe forms of violence.
   

2. Promoting equality and respect By fostering an environment of respect and equality, we empower all students to thrive and contribute positively to society.
   

3. Building empathy and understanding Educating students about the impact of misogyny helps build empathy and understanding, encouraging them to stand up against discrimination and support their peers.
   

4. Improving girls' experiences of schools The Ofsted report into sexual violence in schools highlighted the pervasive nature of such issues and underscored the urgent need to improve the experiences of girls in educational settings. By tackling misogynistic attitudes and behaviours, we can ensure that girls feel valued, respected, and free from harassment, allowing them to fully engage and flourish in their time at school.

Talking to primary aged pupils (KS2)

When discussing misogyny with younger students, it's important to use age-appropriate language and concepts. Here are some strategies:

1. Introduce the concept of respect Use simple terms to explain that everyone deserves to be treated with kindness and respect, regardless of their gender.
   

2. Discuss stereotypes Talk about gender stereotypes and how they can limit people’s potential. Use examples from well loved children's films, books, and everyday life to illustrate your points.
   

3. Encourage empathy Activities that promote empathy, such as role-playing and group discussions, can help students understand the feelings of others and the impact of their actions.
   

Our 'Celebrating Diversity: Fitting In, Gender, and Me' workshop for KS2 helps children explore their identities and understand the importance of celebrating diversity, promoting a culture of inclusion and respect from a young age. During this workshop, students will:

• Analyse and challenge assumptions about gender roles and stereotypes.

• Consider the impact of gender expectations.

• Understand the importance of accepting others for who they are.

• Empower students to support each other's unique interests and passions.
  

We don't believe it's ever too early to introduce children to the concept of respect and equality, regardless of gender. Whether you're a girl or a boy, you should feel safe, listened to, and fairly treated.

Talking to secondary aged pupils (KS3 and Above)

For older students, conversations about misogyny can be more in-depth, complicated, and address the complexities of the issue. Here are some strategies:

1. Define misogyny and its forms Clearly define misogyny and provide examples of both overt and covert forms. Discuss how seemingly small actions, like jokes or comments, contribute to a larger culture of discrimination. Ensure students understand the impact of misogyny on women and girls, but also the repercussions for those who behave in misogynistic ways, and how a more equal society benefits both men and women.
   

2. Discuss social media representation Analyse how some influencers on platforms like TikTok, YouTube and Instagram often perpetuate misogynistic attitudes. Encourage students to think critically about the content they consume and its impact on their views and behaviours. 
   

3. Promote active bystandership Teach students how to be active bystanders who can intervene and support their peers when they witness misogynistic behaviour, and how to safely challenge misogynistic attitudes and behaviours with their peers. Role-playing scenarios can be effective in demonstrating these skills.
   

Role-playing and scenario-based exercises are a key part of our workshops for KS3 and above. Not only do we get participants to explore complicated topics like misogyny in a practical and active way, we make sure the students have a foundation of understanding through discussion-based games and exercises. 

We hear everyone's point of view, we don't shut anyone down, and we make sure everyone leaves the workshop with immediate actions they can take to combat misogyny in their everyday lives. 

Top tips for teachers

1. Create a safe space for discussion Ensure that your classroom is a safe and supportive environment where students feel comfortable sharing their thoughts and experiences. Be careful not to shut anyone down (even if you disagree) or villainise them. It's often the students with the most 'extreme' views that need to discuss these issues in real life (i.e. off the internet) the most.
   

2. Use real-life examples Discuss current events and historical examples to illustrate the real-world impact of misogyny. Take a look at the news from this year alone. This can help students connect the issue to their own lives and communities. Use factual data to underpin the conversations.  

3. Encourage open dialogue Foster an atmosphere of open dialogue where students can ask questions, express their views, and challenge each other respectfully. If you teach a mixed gendered class, don't separate them on the basis of this. Young people learn empathy best from hearing about real-life experiences.
   

4. Incorporate diverse perspectives Use literature, media, and guest speakers from diverse backgrounds to provide a wide range of perspectives on gender issues. Try and integrate this into the classroom all year round (e.g. not just for International Women's Day).
   

5. Model respectful behaviour As a teacher, your behaviour sets the tone for your students. Model respectful and inclusive behaviour in your interactions with students and colleagues.
   

6. Look after yourself! The topic of misogyny can be heavy, and students can sometimes be pretty relentless. If it's feeling like a lot, ask another teacher to be present for the discussion so you can bounce back and forth, and try and carve out some time to decompress afterwards. 
   

Addressing misogyny in educational settings is not just about fulfilling a curriculum requirement, it's about fostering a future where respect and equality are the norms, not exceptions. 

By implementing the strategies discussed in this blog post, teachers can play a crucial role in dismantling the deeply entrenched attitudes that perpetuate gender inequality and violence.

From engaging primary students with the concepts of respect and diversity to challenging secondary students to critically analyse societal norms and become active bystanders, teachers have the power to influence lasting change that starts in the classroom. 

Creating safe, inclusive, and respectful environments in our schools is absolutely paramount for preventing the escalation of misogynistic attitudes into severe forms of violence.

By equipping students with the knowledge and skills to recognise and reject misogyny, we can empower them to build a society where women and girls feel safe, and men are active allies in promoting gender equality and respect. 

If you'd like to find out more about Voicebox's workshops for KS2 or KS3 and above, click here.