ABSTRACT
There is good banter and bad banter; guiding boys to understand this and self-regulate is key to creating cultures of mutual respect. Good banter is mutually supportive and teasing. Bad banter crosses over into bullying and often has the sexual objectification of girls and women as its subject matter. Humour, in the form of banter, is the currency of influence. He who can make others laugh gains ground in the hierarchy. Humour, in the form of banter, is a natural form of communication for teenage boys. It dominates many of their interactions and so, if teachers can guide boys towards getting their banter ‘right’, there are huge rewards to be reaped. Humour is used to mitigate the fear of humiliation.
