What is it?
Misogyny is prejudice, hostility, discrimination or disrespect directed towards women and girls. In schools, misogyny can appear through language, behaviour, online content, harassment, unequal treatment or harmful gender stereotypes.
Misogyny may be obvious or subtle. It can include sexist jokes, sexual comments, peer pressure, online influencer language, controlling behaviour or the normalisation of disrespect towards girls and women.
Pupils may repeat language or behaviours they have seen online without fully understanding the impact. Social media, group chats, gaming platforms and online influencers can reinforce sexist attitudes, harmful stereotypes and disrespectful behaviour.
Misogyny can affect:
• confidence and self-esteem
• wellbeing and mental health
• feelings of safety and belonging
• participation in learning
• peer relationships
• attendance and engagement
• emotional wellbeing
• trust in adults and school systems
Girls may feel anxious, unsafe, ignored, objectified or reluctant to speak out. Some pupils may begin avoiding lessons, withdrawing socially or masking their feelings to avoid attention.
Misogyny can include:
• sexist comments or “banter”
• sexual harassment
• rating girls appearances
• rumours or sexualised gossip
• intimidation or coercion
• online harassment
• controlling behaviour
• silencing girls voices
• gender stereotyping
• dismissing consent or boundaries
Misogyny is closely linked to safeguarding, child-on-child abuse and sexual harassment. Behaviour that is dismissed as “low-level” can contribute to unsafe school cultures and normalise harmful attitudes.
Schools should challenge misogyny consistently, create respectful cultures and ensure pupils understand equality, consent and respectful relationships. Staff should respond calmly, clearly and consistently while recording concerns appropriately.
Misogyny should never be dismissed as “just banter”. Repeated low-level behaviours can have significant emotional and safeguarding impacts over time.
You may notice
- Sexist jokes or “banter”
- Pupils rating girls’ appearances
- Sexualised rumours
- Boys interrupting or talking over girls constantly
- Use of harmful influencer language
- Girls becoming quieter or withdrawn
Helpful staff responses
- Challenge sexist language immediately
- Name the behaviour clearly and calmly
- Record patterns of behaviour
- Model respectful language at all times
- Ensure girls’ voices are heard
- Work closely with safeguarding teams
Avoid
- Dismissing behaviour as “just banter”
- Laughing along with sexist comments
- Ignoring online influence
- Only responding to extreme incidents
KCSIE links
- Child-on-child abuse
- Sexual violence and sexual harassment
- Online safety
- Safeguarding culture
- Behaviour and attitudes