MattGlover.com

Perhaps better suited to his book Raising Boys, Steve Biddulph spends chapter eight of Manhood talking about how we can better prepare boys for the transition to manhood by getting their school environment right. In this short chapter, Biddulph suggests seven areas that would be a good starting point for school reform:

1. Male teachers available at all levels of schooling

For boys who are raised almost entirely by their mothers, attending school where there are no male teachers robs them of all chance of finding male role models. I was fortunate in that four out of my seven primary school teachers were men, as were about 50% of my secondary school teachers. We need men in schools to show that learning in all disciplines is a masculine thing – not just something to be left to the girls.

2. A change in the role of male principals

Male principal are the father-figure of the school and should not be remote and hidden behind administrative duties. Often they are the only male in the school, so they need to be seen.

3. More boyish modes of learning

When I first read this point, I immediately thought he meant more fart jokes. But instead, Biddulph goes on to say, “Education for boys needs to emphasise movement, vigour and going beyond four walls.” Sitting still is hard for boys – can we make learning an experience in all areas of education?

4. Releasing women teachers from the need to fight with problem boys

The problem boys in school need male attention. While our women teachers are very gifted, there are some things they simply cannot (or shouldn’t have to) do. The males in a school should be special trained to act as mentors to those boys that are craving male attention.

5. Training of male teachers in the mentor role

Following on from point 4 – let’s give our male teachers specific training on how to be the mentor/role model the boys need. While we’re at it, let’s give the same training to coaches, youth leaders, pastors and any other blokes that work with boys.

6. Use of male-female teaching teams

So boys (and girls) can see men and women working together successfully.

7. Gender equity programs – for boys too

Special programs just for boys. And this benefits the girls too, as many of them will want to partner/marry well developed and matured men in the future! Program like teaching boys the skills in caring for children, being a Dad etc.

In addition to these, Biddulph says we should return the ‘fun’ to our sporting competitions and reduce the need for high pressure competitiveness for our boys. And somehow stamp out the life sapping bullying that many feel from both other students and teachers.

The teachers I know are already over-worked and stressed beyond belief. How we should go about changing the system, who we would have to lobby and how the heck they would do it is beyond me. It seems like the production line approach is so firmly entrenched that an alternative is needed, rather than a readjustment.

But how? I suppose I could home school my boys, but I’ve always thought of that as a bit strange. A group of parents could band together to form a new school with a new set of teaching values – I’ve heard of that happening before with things like Steiner. Perhaps churches or denominations could actually get serious about the education they provide through their expensive private schools and take the lead.

But to be honest, I simply don’t know.

It does, however, make me cautious, and a bit scared, about sending my boys to school.