46 Understanding Masculinities as a Way to Create Inclusive and Diverse Learning in Schools: The Teacher as the Catalyst

Abstract

This research is aimed at understanding how masculinities are formed in males in a small northern BC town through narratives of five males who grew up in Houston, BC. The focus here is to further understand the role of education, in particular how teachers may affect the masculinity development of boys in school. The way in which masculinities are formed and acted is very complex so my contention is that when teachers become more aware of their own gender identity development, they may then contribute to a more diverse and inclusive practice for all students. In order for there to be a better understanding of how educators contribute to the forming of masculinities, there needs to be education in teaching programs and in the K-12 system devoted to this understanding.