Implementing Emotional Intelligence and Emotion Coaching to Tackle Misogyny in Schools

The rise of misogynistic attitudes in UK schools, fuelled by social media influencers and deep-rooted gender stereotypes, has become a critical concern. Recent reports, such as UK Feminista's study, reveal alarming levels of sexual harassment, with girls regularly subjected to groping, sexist language, and objectification. Meanwhile, teachers report feeling unprepared to address these issues effectively. However, integrating Emotional Intelligence (EQ) and Emotion Coaching into school frameworks offers a transformative approach to dismantling misogyny at its roots.

Emotional Intelligence (EQ), the ability to perceive, understand, and manage emotions, equips students with the skills to challenge harmful behaviours. Key components include self-awareness, which helps individuals accurately identify personal feelings and addresses the underlying causes of misogyny; empathy, which fosters connection and understanding with others; and emotional regulation. Schools can teach and practice techniques like mindfulness to help students manage frustration or rejection without resorting to sexist remarks.

Emotion Coaching, a strategy gaining traction in UK schools, provides a structured way to address misogynistic incidents, rooted in validating feelings while setting clear boundaries. As evidenced in Educational Psychology in Practice, this approach reduces defensiveness and promotes accountability. For instance, a boy who groped a classmate might explore healthier ways to express attraction, guided by staff trained in Emotion Coaching.

Systemic strategies for schools include early intervention, as The PSHE Association advocates teaching EQ skills from Key Stage 1, where role-playing scenarios, such as resolving playground conflicts, normalise respectful communication. Additionally, engaging boys by using Emotion Coaching to discuss influencers like Andrew Tate can be effective. Framing conversations around "How do these views limit your potential?" challenges toxic norms without shaming. Staff training is also essential, as teachers often lack confidence in addressing misogyny. Whole-school Emotion Coaching training equips staff to model empathy and calmly de-escalate incidents. Finally, fostering a collaborative culture through partnerships with organisations like local police, as emphasised by Merseyside's Police Commissioner, ensures a unified response to severe cases, while school-led initiatives promote daily cultural shifts.

Tackling misogyny requires more than punitive measures; it demands nurturing emotional literacy. By prioritising EQ and Emotion Coaching, schools empower students to build self-awareness, empathy, and resilience. This not only reduces harm but also cultivates a generation capable of forging relationships rooted in mutual respect. As the UK Feminista report urges: "Silence is no longer an option." Through deliberate, emotionally intelligent strategies, schools can transform from battlegrounds of inequality into spaces where all students thrive.

By Majid Hakamali

Wednesday, 9th April 2025