Why we need more male primary school teachers: The social benefits for boys and girls

Although research recognises male teachers benefit boys, little is known about why this is and what male teachers mean for girls. Some argue that boys have become the ‘new disadvantaged’ as the result of efforts to eradicate female disadvantage in a historically male biased education system. A widely accepted solution is more male teachers /role models in schools for boys. New research by Kevin McGrath and Mark Sinclair, published in Gender and Education, examines why it is that male teachers are the solution, what benefits they bring to boys, and what benefits they bring to girls.