Helen Houghton
Conservative Party leader
Recent commentary has described adolescent boys as part of a “toxic online culture of masculinity” and an “escalating threat” to society, educators and students. The recommendations call for urgent government intervention in response to what some teachers interpret as misogynistic ideologies among young males.
While harmful online content does exist, there is a danger in pathologising normal developmental behaviour and politicising students’ identities. Adolescence is a stage where boys test boundaries, experiment with ideas and sometimes adopt provocative language. These behaviours are not evidence of entrenched misogyny, but part of the natural process of learning, growing and forming identity. Rather than treating such behaviour as a societal threat, teachers should see it as an opportunity to guide students toward respectful and thoughtful maturity.
Of concern is the tendency for some teachers to impose their own political lens on students. By framing free speech, critical thinking or the exploration of different viewpoints as inherently problematic, they risk silencing diversity of thought in the classroom. Education should nurture curiosity and provide space for respectful debate, not enforce a single acceptable worldview.
One example cited in the report was boys identifying as “Trump boys”. This was presented as troubling, yet it should be recognised as no different from students who once idealised former Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern. Admiring political leaders, whether domestic or international, is a common way for young people explore political awareness. To treat this as dangerous is to make a mountain out of a molehill when in fact such identifications can open constructive conversations about politics, values and leadership.
New Zealand schools must remain places where students are guided to think critically, express themselves and engage with diverse perspectives. Overstating the risks of adolescent behaviour not only alienates young men but also misses the chance to turn classroom moments into genuine teaching opportunities.
