A review of anti-misogyny interventions for children and adolescents: recommendations for the future

Popular online figures such as Andrew Tate have normalized misogyny among young people and within schools. Importantly, these views are often thought to begin developing in early childhood and become more permanent in adolescence. This reality stresses the importance of schools as broader societal structures through which social norms and attitudes are both shaped and formed for children and adolescents. This study sought to review and evaluate existing interventions created to challenge misogynistic attitudes and beliefs in children and adolescents, as well as to make research informed recommendations for improving such training protocols. Four interventions containing at least a single lesson related to anti-misogyny or healthy masculinity were identified, summarized, and evaluated. Findings suggest that while there are interventions designed to promote gender equity, reduce sexual and gender-based violence, and encourage healthy emotional expression, no intervention exists which explicitly addresses misogyny or the development of anti-misogyny attitudes and beliefs. As such, this study summarizes and synthesizes what is currently known about existing interventions and highlights important considerations for future anti-misogyny program development.