A troubling trend has emerged in Scottish schools, as teachers report an increase in misogynistic attitudes among young boys, linked to the influence of controversial figure Andrew Tate.
Teachers in Scotland are expressing alarm over a noticeable increase in misogynistic attitudes among male pupils as young as 11, with many reportedly idolising controversial influencer Andrew Tate. This trend has been highlighted by educators in various schools across the capital, raising concerns about the impact of Tate’s ideology on young boys.
Alison Murphy and Amy Moran, representatives of the Educational Institute of Scotland (EIS), have flagged this troubling development amid reports that boys are manifesting signs of Tate’s influence by setting his image as wallpaper on their school-issued iPads. Anecdotal evidence from teachers points to a rise in sexist behaviour, with male pupils using crude and offensive language towards their female peers and teachers.
One high school educator recounted a recent experience where a 12-year-old pupil used an explicit term to insult her. This behaviour, described as “disturbingly common,” follows a broader pattern of disrespect directed towards women on staff, with incidents occurring where male students address female teachers using derogatory terms. Another teacher observed that female educators often face a “notable level of disrespect” in comparison to their male counterparts, suggesting this may be symptomatic of a wider issue.
The EIS has recently conducted surveys revealing that around 51 per cent of their branches have noticed an increase in boys exhibiting “violent and aggressive” behaviour towards female teachers. Additionally, 40 per cent reported a general rise in prejudice-based violence.
Andrew Tate, previously known for his career as a kickboxer and more recently as a social media personality, faces serious allegations of rape, human trafficking, and forming an organised crime group aimed at exploiting women. His notoriety grew on social media platforms despite bans imposed due to his promotion of “hateful ideology.” Notably, his comments have often suggested that misogyny is a fundamental aspect of realism, leading to further outrage and criticism.
Recent classroom incidents illustrate the impact of Tate’s ideology, with examples involving young boys making inappropriate sexual comments about female staff. One teacher noted that what would have previously prompted immediate disciplinary action, such as exclusion from school, has become so normalized that it is now frequently overlooked.
Educators are also concerned about the infiltration of Tate’s views into younger demographics, with reports of primary school students, some as young as ten, being influenced by such ideologies. It has been suggested that such figures may appeal particularly to boys from underprivileged backgrounds, where the image of a dominant, muscular man resonates as a model of success.
In response to these developments, educators are calling for improved strategies in schools to help students critically engage with online content and to raise awareness of misogynistic narratives. A growing concern regarding the overall impact of toxic masculinity and extremist views has seen attention drawn to this issue nationally. Government representatives have echoed the call for a robust approach to tackle misinformation and protect young people online, with local authorities implementing educational initiatives aimed at promoting gender equality and respect.
Joan Griffiths, the Education, Children and Families Convener, has characterised the disparaging behaviour reported as deeply concerning and stated that schools must not tolerate extremist or sexist ideology. To address this, she mentioned that educational content focusing on gender equity, healthy relationships, and self-esteem is being integrated into the curriculum to challenge such inappropriate language and behaviours among students.
Source: Noah Wire Services
- https://www.gov.scot/publications/preventing-responding-gender-based-violence-whole-school-framework/ – This publication supports the concern about increasing misogynistic views in Scottish schools and highlights efforts by the Scottish Government to address gender-based violence through education. It underscores the goal of ending all forms of gender-based violence in society.
- https://www.zerotolerance.org.uk/policy-work/Misogyny-and-VAWG-in-schools—evidence-Nov-24.pdf – This document from Zero Tolerance provides evidence on the rise of extreme misogyny in Scottish schools, mentioning the influence of online figures like Andrew Tate on young males and the need for gender-equal education to combat it.
- https://www.gov.scot/publications/behaviour-scottish-schools-research-report-2023/pages/5/ – The Behaviour in Scottish Schools Research Report highlights emerging patterns of challenging behavior, including a rise in misogynistic views and sexist language among male pupils, aligning with the concerns mentioned in the article.
- https://www.eis.org.uk/ – The Educational Institute of Scotland represents teachers who are concerned about the rising misogynistic attitudes among male pupils. The EIS conducts surveys that reflect these concerns and works towards promoting positive behaviors in schools.
- https://www.gov.scot/news/tackling-misogyny-and-gender-based-violence/ – This news article would typically cover Scottish government efforts to address misogyny and gender-based violence, which aligns with the article’s mention of government responses to these issues.
Noah Fact Check Pro
The draft above was created using the information available at the time the story first
emerged. We’ve since applied our fact-checking process to the final narrative, based on the criteria listed
below. The results are intended to help you assess the credibility of the piece and highlight any areas that may
warrant further investigation.
Freshness check
Score:
8
Notes:
The narrative references a contemporary issue in Scotland but does not specify a particular date for the events. It mentions ongoing concerns, suggesting recent awareness but not explicitly stating when these incidents began.
Quotes check
Score:
6
Notes:
No specific direct quotes from individuals are mentioned, nor any references to earlier quotes. However, there are attributions to educators and officials without precise quotes, which might be recent or part of ongoing discussions.
Source reliability
Score:
8
Notes:
The narrative originates from a well-established publication, the Daily Record. This publication is generally considered reliable for news in Scotland.
Plausability check
Score:
9
Notes:
The claims regarding the influence of Andrew Tate and a rise in misogynistic attitudes among pupils are plausible given recent media coverage of similar issues globally. However, the specificity to Scottish schools requires more detailed evidence for full verification.
Overall assessment
Verdict (FAIL, OPEN, PASS): PASS
Confidence (LOW, MEDIUM, HIGH): MEDIUM
Summary:
The narrative appears current and is from a reliable publication, highlighting a plausible and concerning trend. While further verification is needed for some claims, the overall narrative seems credible given the existing social context regarding Andrew Tate and his influence.
