Andrew Tate's views fueling misogyny in schoolchildren as young as 9, report finds
BUCHAREST, ROMANIA: Controversial social media influencer Andrew Tate, known for his provocative tweets, recently faced scrutiny in a report published by the UK domestic violence charity Women’s Aid.
The report further examines the impact of Tate’s content on shaping the perspectives of children regarding relationships.
Currently, Tate is facing criticism as nine-year-olds exhibit signs of misogyny. Notably, female pupils and staff in Scotland’s schools are at risk due to a concerning surge in ‘toxic masculinity', prompting an urgent response within the education system.
Many female teachers are expressing concern, as several teenage boys are engaging in inappropriate behavior, such as pulling at and harassing girls.
Andrew Tate’s content influences teenage boys
According to DailyMail, reports from staff indicate instances where boys use demeaning catchphrases towards women, engage in inappropriate actions like pulling at girls' clothes, send unwarranted explicit photos to female classmates, and harass female teachers.
One disturbing incident involved a group of boys refusing to be taught by a teacher and subsequently sharing a manipulated explicit image of her.
Staff also note troubling indications of violence and coercive control in teenage relationships. Teenage boys, highly influenced by platforms such as TikTok, Snapchat, and Instagram, as well as exposure to violent pornography, are particularly susceptible.
However, activists point out that toxic masculinity is permeating even primary schools, with children as young as nine being influenced by figures like Tate.
In response, a coalition comprising police, NHS, charities, and local authority experts has issued guidance for Scottish schools on addressing this issue.
What did FVAWP say about Andrew Tate’s influence on school pupils?
The Fife Violence Against Women Partnership (FVAWP) document highlighted concerns about an escalating rate of misogynistic behavior observed among school pupils, particularly but not exclusively among boys, in both primary and secondary schools.
For context, Andrew Tate has gained notoriety as an unapologetic advocate for sexism and misogyny. Despite his controversial views on women and his continuous boasts about wealth, Tate has garnered a vast global following on social media, reaching millions.
Many parents are discovering, with horror, that Tate's beliefs include the notion that women 'belong in the home' and are the 'property' of men.
Despite claiming to be a positive force and delivering motivational speeches about leading a 'righteous life', Tate also makes inflammatory references to women, labeling them as 'hoes', 'bitches', and 'intrinsically lazy'.
The phenomenon is believed to be connected to content from social media and influencers, including figures like Andrew Tate.
This issue extends beyond Fife, as colleagues from various regions across Scotland have reported similar occurrences.
The document emphasized the potential consequences of misogyny, warning that it can lead to rape, sexual offenses, harassment, bullying, and domestic abuse, thereby putting female pupils and staff at an increased risk of violence.
Laura Pearson, the group coordinator, noted a significant period, likely before the summer, where Andrew Tate was prominently discussed.
During this time, boys were reportedly speaking positively about Tate, with one report citing concerns involving children as young as primary 5. Staff observed pupils using catchphrases popularized by Tate, such as 'make me a sandwich', issued as an order to demean women as per daily mail.