Boys and change : the relationship between behaviour management and the social construction of masculinity

The intention of the following work is to explore the behaviour management of boys from a social construction of gender viewpoint so that boys may change. The focus of this work is the examination of masculinity in one site, a single sex boys' school. The complex theories which describe how an individual acquires his or her gender traits are explored. Schools are influential sites where students absorb messages concerning the meaning of what it means to be male and female. The structures, teachers, curriculum, student management policies and students provide clear messages concerning masculinity and femininity. The research for this work is in the form of a case study approach. This includes a program which was designed in an attempt to meet some of the needs of a group of grade nine boys and the Peer Relations Questionnaire to assess the prevalence of harassment and bullying within the school. This dissertation provides suggestions for educators of boys, so that schools may plan for, and provide opportunities, for boys and men to change.