Reports and Publications
Developing our understanding about young men, masculinity, and education
The Problem with Boys? is the first of three reports which explore educators perceptions of young working-class men in the classroom. Although highlighted as an important contributing factor in differences in attainment, the last in-depth investigation exploring the influence of teacher perceptions of boys and young men in secondary school classrooms took place in 2004. Analysing survey responses from over 400 educators in schools across England, alongside focus groups with 40 young working-class men aged 12-16, the report investigates how teachers are meeting the contemporary challenges through conversations surrounding gender equity, social media, and what it means to be a young man.
The Boys who Care report is the first of its kind. Produced in partnership between Boys’ Impact, Arts University Bournemouth and MYTIME Young Carers, it shines a light on the experience of young male carers in the UK education system. For these young men, care, maturity, and emotional intelligence are their superpowers, but all too often in education they are overlooked, squeezed, and diminished. As a society, we have a responsibility to cultivate the conditions in which these young men can thrive. To shine a light on their strength and bravery, highlighted through their empathy and compassion. If we can only learn from them, these young men give us hope for something better.