More information
Description
The problem addressed by this project is peer violence. Polish schools are not prepared to counteract this phenomenon effectively. According to the Ombudsman''s report ''Equal treatment at school'' (2021), more than 60% of students in the final grades of primary schools experience ridicule and exclusion, one in four is bullied and more than one third experience hitting and pushing. This is an educational and research project which constitutes a further step in developing an innovative method of anti-violence education for school-age boys. In 2022, we implemented the School of Anti-Bullying Trainers Sztama. In this project, we are implementing the previously developed method and testing how it works in practice. We are also conducting a qualitative ethnographic study to identify and understand the mechanisms of peer violence among teenage boys. Within the project we carry out WenDo workshops with teenagers and teachers, an anti-violence workshop called Sztama with boys and anti-violence training on masculinity patterns for male educational staff. We will publish the research and present it at the project''s closing conference, during which we will hold a panel discussion with the experts conducting the research. The project will contribute to a change in the approach to developing anti-discrimination programmes for children and young people to include a gender perspective in the content development and classroom methodology. Our beneficiaries are school students (girls and boys aged 14-16), people working in the field of education (formal and non-formal) and all individuals, organisations and entities that create and/or implement anti-discrimination programmes for children and young people.
Summary of project results
The problem our project addresses is a gap in the approach to creating anti-violence education tools. Currently, anti-discrimination and anti-violence education programs take into account the gender perspective mainly in relation to girls and women, only superficially (if at all) touching on issues related to toxic patterns of masculinity. We identified the need to implement this project primarily by listening to the voices of the teenage participants of our WenDo workshops. Teenagers very clearly feel and notice double standards in the treatment of boys and girls. They were the ones who asked us why we were teaching them assertiveness and self-defense and not teaching boys non-violence and self-defense.
expressing the full spectrum of emotions.
The formal curriculum in Polish schools does not include mandatory anti-discrimination/anti-violence classes. There are also not many reliable sources on how such classes should be conducted. No recommendations for effective equality and anti-violence education for young people.
Our project was an educational and research activity.
In the educational part of the project:
- we conducted 3 two-day WenDo workshops for teenagers from 3 secondary schools in Lower Silesia. A total of 43 girls aged 14-16 took part in the workshops
- we conducted 4 two-day WenDo workshops for teenagers from 4 secondary schools in Lower Silesia. A total of 46 boys aged 14-16 took part in the workshops
- we conducted two two-day WenDo workshops for teachers, school psychologists and youth educators/trainers from Lower Silesia. A total of 24 women took part in the workshops
- we conducted two two-day anti-violence training on the model of masculinity for teachers and men from the teaching staff, school psychologists, educators/youth trainers. A total of 17 men took part in the workshops
A total of 130 people were trained, including 89 people aged 14-16 and 41 adults working in the field of education. A total of 176 workshop hours were conducted.
In the research part of the project:
- we carried out 1 qualitative study on masculinity patterns
- a total of 43 boys aged 14-16 from Lower Silesia and 6 teachers (adults) subjected to qualitative research
- 1 publication summarizing the research entitled "Teenage boys about discrimination and their everyday life. Tips for equality education”
- 500 copies of the paper version of the publication (available for collection at the foundation''s headquarters in Wrocław);
- over 100 downloads of the publication summarizing the research results
- 1 conference summarizing the project
- 30-50 people participating in the conference
- 1 recording of the entire conference available on Facebook
- additionally: 1 summary of the report "Teenage boys about discrimination and their everyday life. “Guidelines for equality education” in PDF format
We believe that we have responded to the needs defined before starting the project. Thanks to participation in the project, the initial situation of our beneficiaries changed.
WenDo workshop participants - teenagers aged 14-16 and adult women (teachers), learned/strengthened in setting their own boundaries and self-defense (physical and mental). The participants also had the opportunity to understand the mechanism of action of stereotypes and prejudices and develop the ability to react/counteract when experiencing their manifestations.
Boys aged 14-16 (participants of Sztama''s workshops) improved their level of knowledge about stereotypes and prejudices, types of violence, and the language of hate. Participating in Sztama workshops also broadens the perspective of boys in thinking about their identities and roles in society; development of assertive communication, emotional intelligence and critical thinking.
Participants of the anti-violence training for teachers reflected on the dominant pattern of masculinity, socialization into gender roles, gender-based violence and the relationship between toxic masculinity and violence.
Thanks to qualitative research, teenage boys had the opportunity to share their perspective and emotions related to the context of violence, discrimination and socialization to gender roles.
The prepared report (and its shortened version) makes it possible to understand the socio-cultural context in which boys function on a daily basis, and thanks to practical recommendations - to create more effective anti-violence education. The report was positively received by educators (audience votes during the conference).
Thanks to the conference summarizing the project, 57 people in person and 43 people watching the stream were able to familiarize themselves with the results of the report and receive practical knowledge and recommendations for creating more effective anti-violence education.