2008-09 Journeys into Masculinity

The fourth action research team focused its work on the research question, How can texts be used to extend boys' understanding of masculinities?

The 2008–09 Action Research team members offer deep insights into the challenges that face boys on their journey into manhood and illustrate the great opportunities that boys’ schools have to assist them in coming to grips with complex and sensitive constructs such as masculinity. The findings also highlight the vital role that boys’ schools can play in providing safe environments in which boys’ voices are recognized and respected. Research also supports the special role that digital technologies can play in the engagement and motivation of boys in their learning.

The findings also highlight the vital role that boys’ schools can play in providing safe environments in which boys’ voices are recognized and respected. As one boy wrote: “Masculinity is not about the occupation someone has or the hobbies they participate in. Masculinity is about the hard decisions one has to make and whether or not they believe what they chose was right.”

Team members reported at the 16th IBSC Annual Conference in Hawke's Bay, New Zealand, July, 2009.

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2008-09: Masculinity (12 Reports)

Reports ordered alphabetically by title. Click/tap on report titles to read full report posting.

Real Men Don't Rape — Andrew Renard, St. Andrew's College, South Africa

How can boys’ understanding of masculinity and manhood be enhanced and broadened through literature in the language arts curriculum?

Real men don't rape. Working from this statement, my research explored two further questions: Can literature have any impact in changing boys’ attitudes towards rape? If so, what types of literature are most effective in achieving a change in attitude?