SUBSCRIBE FOR ONLY $16.99!

The Missing Link: Addressing Boys’ Disengagement from Education

Advertisement

By Andrew Reiner

During a speaking tour of six boys’ schools in New Zealand last summer I also facilitated workshops for boys in middle and high school. These workshops were a gamble. Everything depended on whether or not the boys would be willing to write on plastic white masks, or on pieces of paper, words they rarely, if ever, uttered aloud. Most boys everywhere know these words should never see light of day.

On the front of the masks I asked boys to write words that described the “face” they showed the world. I expected to see the commonly evoked adjectives they shared: “upbeat,” “happy,” “confident,” “funny,” “sporty,” “got it together.”

On the back side I asked them to write words which described the parts of themselves they didn’t feel safe showing the world. This, of course, was the thorny part. Yet the boys didn’t hold back. These were the most common responses: “lonely,” “sad,” “lost,” “confused,” “scared,” “angry.”

Why does this matter for us in schools?

Subscribe to Keep Reading

🔑 You’re one step away from unlocking premium content.
Subscribe now for just $16.99/year and get full access!
If you’re already subscribed, please .
Avatar photo

Andrew Reiner teaches at Towson University in the U.S., is author of the book Better Boys, Better Men: The New Masculinity That Creates Greater Courage and Emotional Resiliency and the upcoming book Boys Re-Connected: The Growing Epidemic of Alienation and How To Stop It (Johns Hopkins University Press).

Education News

New Immersive Platform Offers Glimpses Into the Daily Lives of Kids With ADHD, Dyslexia, and Dyscalculia

The free digital tool by Understood.org uses simulations, videos, and expert resources to start conversations and challenge assumptions about learning and thinking differences.

School Safety Plans: 4 Ways Districts Can Prepare for Everyday Medical Emergencies

While most people think of lockdowns when they hear “school safety,” it’s also critical to plan for situations like seizures or cardiac arrest.

Building a Listening Culture: A Conversation with Christine Miles

In our discussion with educator, author, and keynote speaker Christine Miles, we explore the often-invisible crisis of listening in education.

Four Education Innovators Honored with 2025 Harold W. McGraw, Jr. Prize in Education

This year’s class of McGraw Prize winners combines highly innovative approaches to learning with results that transform lives.

Join Our Newsletter

Join now for a chance to win 1 of 2 $25 Indigo e-gift cards this month!

Andrew Reiner
Andrew Reiner
Andrew Reiner teaches at Towson University in the U.S., is author of the book Better Boys, Better Men: The New Masculinity That Creates Greater Courage and Emotional Resiliency and the upcoming book Boys Re-Connected: The Growing Epidemic of Alienation and How To Stop It (Johns Hopkins University Press).

Advertisement

Read More

4 Simple Strategies to Make Wellness Culture Part of Your School

For students to thrive and schools to achieve their desired outcomes, educator wellness is crucial to the overall health of school communities. Here are some fast, simple, and practical ways that schools can help teachers reduce stress and burnout.

New Immersive Platform Offers Glimpses Into the Daily Lives of Kids With ADHD, Dyslexia, and Dyscalculia

The free digital tool by Understood.org uses simulations, videos, and expert resources to start conversations and challenge assumptions about learning and thinking differences.

School Safety Plans: 4 Ways Districts Can Prepare for Everyday Medical Emergencies

While most people think of lockdowns when they hear “school safety,” it’s also critical to plan for situations like seizures or cardiac arrest.

Beyond Fame, Fortune, and Followers: Inspiring Students to Redefine Success

I’ve started to notice a troubling trend among my students: many of them equate success with fame, followers, or a fat bank account.

Building a Listening Culture: A Conversation with Christine Miles

In our discussion with educator, author, and keynote speaker Christine Miles, we explore the often-invisible crisis of listening in education.

Four Education Innovators Honored with 2025 Harold W. McGraw, Jr. Prize in Education

This year’s class of McGraw Prize winners combines highly innovative approaches to learning with results that transform lives.