A practical guide to help educators respond to the rising influence of the manosphere in secondary schools has been released, aiming to support teachers as they navigate misogyny in classrooms.
The resource, The Manosphere: Impacts for Young People, Teachers and Schools, has been launched by Monash University researchers in partnership with the National Research Organisation for Women’s Safety.
Recent data shows that one in four Australian girls feel unsafe at school due to the behaviours of their male peers. Women teachers are also facing rising levels of harassment.
The new resource is a direct response to what’s known as “baiting” by students in classrooms, as well as classroom disruptions and disrespectful behaviour towards female students and teachers.
Lead researcher and Director of the Monash Gender and Family Violence Prevention Hub, Dr Naomi Pfitzner, said it equips teachers with practical information to navigate these challenges.
“Students and teachers are telling us they are seeing these harmful ideologies and behaviours show up in classrooms every day,” Dr Pfitzner said.
“This guide gives schools a clear, evidence‑based starting point to understand what the manosphere is, why it matters, and how to help their students navigate these harmful narratives.”
ANROWS CEO Dr Tessa Boyd-Caine said teachers often face coordinated attempts to undermine their authority and disrupt lessons.
“We know there are girls and young women who feel unsafe at school due to boys’ behaviours. These feelings can impact their schooling, fuelling anxiety, reducing their class participation or even leading them to skip class or school,” Dr Boyd-Caine said.
“At the same time, many boys and young men feel uncomfortable with the misogyny they witness online and the behaviour of their peers at school, but feel unsafe or unable to challenge it.
“We aren’t just providing a report on the problem; we are providing a roadmap for school communities to recognise these tactics and reclaim the classroom as a safe space for everyone.”
The resource outlines key beliefs of the manosphere, the links between these ideologies and violence, and the pathways used to recruit boys and young men. It also explores the role of social media and provides practical guidance to help teachers and school staff recognise, understand and respond to these issues.
Co‑author Dr Stephanie Wescott, from Monash University, said the manosphere was now a part of the everyday experience in schools.
“The manosphere is not a fringe phenomenon — it is shaping the attitudes and behaviours of young people in very real ways,” Wescott says.
“Our work shows that educators are seeking practical resources that help them navigate these conversations safely and constructively. This guide is designed to meet that need and to support schools to foster respectful, inclusive learning environments.”