'Teach young men vulnerability to counter the manosphere'

A misogyny crisis among young men will only be solved by "teaching boys to be both vulnerable and resilient", the head of Scotland's last all-boys school has said.

- by Catriona Stewart

Huw Jones Rector of Merchiston Castle

Huw Jones took over as head of Merchiston Castle School in Edinburgh last year and is determined to foster a climate that protects against the so-called “manosphere”.

His comments come as increasing numbers of women teachers in Scotland report feeling intimidated and threatened by the sexist and misogynist behaviour of male pupils.

The pattern comes amid the rise of the manosphere, a loose network of online communities and influencers, such as Andrew Tate, who are focused on men's issues intertwined with misogynistic views and hostility towards women.

Mr Jones said: “There is a crisis. But my personal take is we're viewing that crisis the wrong way.

“I don’t think boys are broken, or men are broken.

“I think there's a real lack of identity, belonging and connection, particularly in men and boys and that manifests itself in a lack of self-esteem.

“The manosphere, Andrew Tate, what are they selling? They're selling belonging. They’re selling certainty.

“It is quite clever and manipulative because it ties into human traits.”