Back to the future on gender and anti-school boys: a response to Jeffrey Smith

This article examines recent claims by Jeffrey Smith that: (1) 'hegemonic masculinity' is an expression of working class counter-school culture; (2) some teachers are 'cultural accomplices' in constructing 'hegemonic masculinities' of anti-school working class boys, thereby contributing to their underachievement; and (3) these 'cultural accomplices' are an emerging response to recent moral panics and neo-liberal managerialism concerned with 'failing boys' at school. It is suggested that 'hegemonic masculinity' is not necessarily associated with anti-school values in working class culture. Many working class boys might subscribe to 'hegemonic masculinity' without rejecting learning. Contrary to Smith's emphasis on how working class culture generates anti-school 'hegemonic masculinity', there is the possibility that 'hegemonic masculinity' is fused with anti-school values produced by organisational differentiation. The continuing commonalities between working class anti-school boys and the 'gender regime' of some secondary schools for over 20 years implies something more enduring at work than recent moral panics.