Nick Hewlett, the headmaster of a London school, had never heard of notorious online influencer Andrew Tate till a parent informed him of his existence.
However, he soon discovered that his students were familiar with Tate’s misogynistic social media remarks.
Even before Tate’s arrest in Romania in December, the principal of St. Dunstan’s College resolved to address the issue.
The approach at Hewlett and other schools is to openly discuss Tate’s ideas with students.
Tate, a 36-year-old former kick boxer, and his brother are being probed for “forming an organized criminal group, human trafficking, and rape,” claims they deny.
When this news emerged, many adults realized for the first time that this British man existed and that he was already an internet celebrity among adolescents in English-speaking nations and abroad.
In 2022, Tate’s name was among the most-searched phrases on Google.
In his motivational films, in which he waves a cigar and bares his chest, he describes his idea of manhood and prosperity.
He equates success with wealth, dominance, and the ownership of women and fancy automobiles.
In one of his more horrific texts, he refers to women as “men’s property.”
In a tweet, he stated, “A man without strife can never be a strong man… If you want to be a hero, you must be prepared to suffer.”
He further stated, “Male existence is war.”
“DISCUSSES WOMEN AS OBJECTS”
The mere mention of Tate’s name is sufficient to spark a heated dispute among adolescents.
“At one point, I believed his message to be effective. “He was encouraging men to go to the gym,” says Kieran, 17, in front of his public school in north London.
“He discussed masculinity while many guys are gone. They are expected to behave in a particular manner.”
Tate’s prohibition from certain social media platforms has not prevented him from communicating with kids.
“After his arrest, my mother and sister and I discussed the gravity of the situation,” adds Kieran.
He claims he has attempted to block Tate from his social media accounts, but the content continues to appear.
Jon, Kieran’s 18-year-old friend, loves parts of Tate’s comments, but has observed that he “talks about women as objects.”
“I’ve never liked him,” adds 17-year-old Lilly, the sole female in the group.
“DANGEROUS MASCULINITY”
“Do we have a clear understanding of what modern masculinity entails? I’m not sure we do… I believe this creates a tremendous void for young guys in especially. The head of St. Dunstan’s College stated, “And some exploit that.”
To address the issue, the private school in south London has incorporated Tate’s story to an existing lesson topic.
Also Read: Greta Thunberg delivers a final blow to Andrew Tate online
Students begin learning about gender stereotypes and equality at the age of 11. Around the age of 13, kids discuss “toxic masculinity.”
“Here there are 1,200 youngsters. “Therefore, inevitably, some will fall under his influence — or under his spell,” argues Hewlett.
“Who will challenge their views if schools do not respond to this? You will create a generation of young people with a fundamentally twisted perception of what success entails.”
Students learn about this issue through talks between females and boys, facilitated by the teacher. Together, they deconstruct Tate’s and other influentials’ rhetoric.
BAFFLED PARENTS
Natasha Eeles is the director of Bold Voices, a nonprofit organization she created in 2018 that travels to schools and universities to educate students on gender inequality.
According to her, she first heard of Tate in May 2022. Currently, 70% of schools who approach her request that she speak about him.
“Much of his discourse rests on macho stereotypes. “That is extremely difficult to contest,” she says.
Bold Voices created a toolbox last fall to assist parents in initiating a dialogue with their children about Tate.
The recommendation involves asking open-ended questions such as “What do you think of him?” and defining misogyny and homophobia.
Michael Conroy, the founder of Men at Work, a social venture that helps teachers and social workers converse with young men, claims that many parents, caregivers, and teachers are terrified of Andrew Tate.
“Teachers report that young men frequently introduce him into the classroom by quoting him, regardless of the context,” he says.
Some will use him as an example in a business studies lesson, stating, “He is the greatest businessman in the world.”
While Tate is detained for inquiry, his films continue to go viral, and he and his closest allies continue to tweet.
When asked whether Tate’s impact will be diminished by incarceration, Conroy is skeptical.
“Let’s not be nave if he remains in prison. Others will fill in the void”
By Caroline Taix © Agence France-Presse
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