In the same week Netflix launched its critically acclaimed drama, Adolescence, sparking a national conversation about boys and online misogyny, a new research finding caught my eye.
Based on follow-up research to the Trends in International Mathematics and Science Study 2023, the report from the Department for Education revealed that girls in both Year 5 and Year 9 performed significantly below boys in maths.
It’s the first time we have seen such a striking disparity at Year 9. The findings led schools minister Catherine McKinnell to reassert the government’s commitment to promoting science, technology, engineering and maths (Stem) subjects, ””.
It is positive that boys are excelling in science and maths, but I worry that the increasing popularity of these subjects has come at the expense of other subjects, such as English literature, and that this shift comes with potentially troubling consequences.
For example, at an academically selective all-boys’ school in my area (West London), of the 215 boys in the current Year 12 cohort, 201 are taking A-level maths, while just 13 are taking English.
Similarly, staff at a South London all-boys’ school tell me that just three of their Year 12 boys are studying A-level English, while twenty times that number take maths.
These figures reflect a national trend; according to data from the Joint Council for Qualifications, across the country, there is a well-established , in particular.
So, why are boys so keen on Stem? And why does it matter?
The decline of English literature?
Successive governments’ successful push for Stem in schools has undoubtedly steered more students towards these subjects. I also think that the current economic climate has made students more transactional with their subject choices, selecting subjects for long-term economic gain.
My issue with this is that in a world of self-styled misogynist influencers, like Andrew Tate, it is more important than ever that boys develop their emotions, build empathy and learn to communicate well.
The study of English literature helps boys to understand character motivations and nuances of behaviour, encouraging them to consider their own feelings and those of others - skills that can help to prevent them from being drawn into the “manosphere”.
It’s essential that we teach students to detect and challenge fake news, conspiracy theories and harmful online content. Many English departments already teach this type of digital literacy in key stage 3 and work hard to develop the critical thinking skills needed to spot misinformation. But this work doesn’t stop there; there is plenty on the A-level English curriculum that can continue to help boys.
Studying Othello allows students to analyse the misogynistic attitudes of a character like Iago, and shows them how easy it is to be manipulated by words, as well as deeds. Tess of the D’Urbervilles and A Streetcar Named Desire demonstrate the awful consequences of male brutality, as do The Duchess of Malfi and Wide Sargasso Sea, while also promoting strong, stoical and intelligent female characters.
Without being off-puttingly preachy, such texts help to illuminate the need for healthy relations between men and women. The classroom is a natural place to challenge and engage with troubling attitudes, and mid-lesson discussion can often be more powerful than a contrived PSHE lesson.
The benefits of studying English
Studying English also encourages reading for pleasure, a habit that we know is . Reading fiction increases empathy and compassion, allowing boys to understand and share in the feelings of others.
Further still, reading helps to reduce feelings of loneliness, as readers find connection and even companionship through stories. Discovering meaning from literature can therefore help to steer isolated young men away from seeking direction from negative online platforms.
So, how can schools encourage more boys to continue studying English? Carefully selecting texts that speak to boys’ interests and concerns will help make the subject more engaging and relevant to them. The Great Gatsby, The Talented Mr Ripley, Atonement and The Kite Runner are excellent choices that always go down well with boys, as well as girls.
It is also important to help boys see the potential long-term benefits to their careers. Companies are keen to employ great communicators with exceptional writing skills, and the study of English literature also sharpens analytical skills and deepens understanding of the human condition - preparing future business leaders to lead with empathy and insight.
It is too simplistic to think that the study of literature will act as a panacea for all of the problems boys and men face. There are many factors that contribute to someone being at risk from toxic influencers: social inequality, difficulties at home and a lack of positive male role models can all contribute.
English literature can’t fix those things, but it can make a small difference to how our male students see themselves - helping them to better understand our society, and their place in it.
Andrew Copeman is head of lower sixth and teacher of English at Latymer Upper School in London
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