IDENTITY
under less pressure to conform to macho stereotypes, perhaps even the pay gap would shrink. It’s about time. Rohan Mistry (Year 13), President of the Equality Society here at Dulwich, has argued that legislation to extend paternity leave so that it is equal to maternity leave would be a huge step towards gender equality. In schools, work towards less polarised genders through the destruction of stereotypes has been consciously and subconsciously carried out. From a study of hundreds of pupils across schools in southern England, Mark McCormack of Brunel University reveals in his book The Declining Significance Of Homophobia: How Teenage Boys Are Redefining Masculinity And Heterosexuality and its accompanying blog post ‘10 Surprising Facts About Straight Teenage Boys’ that he discovered ‘a culture of decreasing homophobia’ compared to ten years ago. He also discovered that boys are more likely (and comfortable) to make physical contact with one another in an affectionate, but not sexualised, manner. He describes this as ‘homosocial tactility’ and it is a visual step towards a societal shift where men can share their feelings more comfortably. What I found most enlightening, however, is that McCormack notes the way in which boys are able and willing to talk about how they have stigmatised homophobia, using intellectual discussion to justify homosexuality as they would with any other topic. I can see this at Dulwich, too. The launch of the Equality Society by Rohan Mistry and the Senior Prefects has brought an unconscious social change into conscious academic discussion – one of increasing tolerance and
Would it be beneficial to do away with the term masculinity altogether?
acceptance, especially concerning gender fluidity and sexual orientation. Michael Bacon (Year 13) comments, ‘I think the continued success of Equality Society is characterised by the opportunity to discuss and debate topics that perhaps are not brought up in Common Room conversation’. When looking at the College superficially, one may see a traditional masculine institution – grand buildings, chapel services, a prevalence of rugby. However, look a little deeper and you discover a pioneering Wellbeing programme and integrated support system, a pupil-led drive towards further inclusivity and countless sporting, cultural and academic pathways for students to pursue free from criticism and judgement, all of which are hallmarks of a progressive, 21st-century school. At a time of global exclusivity, when traditional masculinity seems to be taking over once more (hi, Donald), when one per cent of the world’s
population possesses 99 per cent of global wealth, and when socially liberal policies such as LGBTQ+ rights in the US are in jeopardy (thanks again, Donald), it is increasingly crucial that young people cherish inclusivity and celebrate difference. At the heart of London, Dulwich reflects the inclusive nature of the capital: inspiring difference and debate in young men and instilling the initiative to question society’s long- held principles. We’re not ‘just like that’. We are what we choose to be. And what we choose to be is defined by our conversation. So, let’s talk.
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