ABSTRACT
It is common for hierarchies to form amongst cohorts of boys in school and their influence on relation culture can be profound. If the most influential boys adopt attitudes that are essentially constructive, then often gentler forms of masculinity will become dominant in the culture. If, on the other hand, the most influential boys tend to be disruptive in their words and deeds, then a sour form of masculinity may take hold. Moving up or down the hierarchy of social influence is usually dependent on emotional robustness, and the ability to withstand humiliation when it arises. Humour, and humour in the form of banter, is the usual ‘currency’ of influence. Being able to make others laugh is important; sometimes that humour is innocuous and sometimes it can be personal and cruel. In order to mitigate against the more extreme influence that hierarchical social structures can have on the daily lives of boys in school, the Working with Boys programme intervenes at the point at which those hierarchies are being formed; that is at age 11. By encouraging boys to reflect on the creation and existence of hierarchies in their year group, teachers can guide them in the creation of social norms that are gentle and constructive.
