Having an ~interesting~ debate () with some teachery friends: can gender (if you’re a male) give you an advantage for behaviour management?

Okay. Here are my thoughts:
- I find it wholly frustrating that a lot of people would think I’m automatically at a disadvantage due to my gender
- Consistency is vital
- It’s presence, tone and confidence hands down
- It’s also about the school ethos and approach to BM [cont]

I work in a brilliant school where there are many, many female middle leaders and SLT, incl. our headteachers, so perhaps my view is biased. I have never been made aware of my gender when dealing with bad behaviour.

Of course, it’s more nuanced than what the poll suggests. Of course there are a plethora of reasons which affect responses to teachers including catchment, ethos, personal circumstances, academic inclusivity, self-efficacy and numerous other reasons. [cont]

Would I hesitate to intervene a group of year 11 boys fighting on a field (a made up example) - probably? Is it down to gender? Perhaps. I couldn’t say. Maybe it’s down to my height? It’s so difficult to grapple with.

I am just thankful that I have never thought “my male colleagues have it easy when it comes to behaviour” and I have never felt that my gender has too much of an impact on my practice. Fascinating thread, thank you all!!!

Oh... one more thing, I genuinely think positive relationships are vital to behaviour management (I’m no expert), but it is an aspect of my practice I’m proud of and I am consistently reflecting on.

Also, I wonder whether the results would be the same if we based it on first impressions. This is fascinating.

Hi @BoysDontTryPod this turned out to be an interesting thread! Would be interesting to hear your views and what you guys think?