Published

This EducationHQ article explores one of the most pressing challenges facing schools today: how to effectively counter the influence of the manosphere and its promotion of misogynistic views and distorted ideas about masculinity among boys and young men. The piece examines a positive masculinity programme developed by Consent Labs, a not-for-profit organisation, that has become sought after by schools across Australia grappling with the escalating effects of influential 'manfluencers' whose online content normalises harmful attitudes toward women and gender-diverse people. The article features insights from Noah Bloch, co-head of curriculum at Consent Labs, who argues that part of the solution lies in removing blame from the equation and replacing harmful role models with positive ones. Bloch describes a clear rise in overt misogyny and harmful rhetoric from boys and young men in classrooms, with female teachers, girls, and gender-diverse students bearing the brunt. Rather than approaching the issue through punitive or shaming frameworks, the programme focuses on helping young men develop healthier conceptions of masculinity, understand the commercial motivations behind manosphere content creators, and build genuine skills in respectful relationships. This resource is valuable for educators seeking evidence-informed approaches to addressing radicalisation and misogynistic attitudes in school communities.