The team discussed the impact of online culture on individuals, particularly young men, and its potential to create low self-esteem and misogynistic attitudes. They also expressed concerns about the portrayal of certain themes in a documentary they had watched and its potential to raise awareness about these issues. The conversation ended with a discussion on the need for better understanding and communication about these issues, the impact of shame on children who have experienced trauma, and the importance of addressing misogyny in various contexts.

Next steps

  • Harvey to ensure he is available for the next meeting on May 23rd about supporting carers on allegations.
  • Hannah to discuss with Catherine about potentially developing training or discussions on misogyny for foster carers.
  • All participants should consider watching the Channel 4 documentary "The School That Tried to End Racism" as recommended by Kayleigh.
  • All participants to ask their MPs to sign the Early Day Motion for Foster Care Fortnight as mentioned by Harvey.
  • Continue developing resources on misogyny for foster carer supervision.
  • Review and potentially update the "Men in Fostering" training course.

Summary

Addressing Online Culture's Impact on Youth

Harvey and Hannah discussed the impact of online culture on individuals, particularly young men, and its potential to create low self-esteem and misogynistic attitudes. They agreed that adults, especially men, have a responsibility to address these issues and be role models for young men. They also expressed concerns about the portrayal of certain themes in a documentary they had watched, questioning the balance between drama and documentary content.

Documentary's Impact on Work and Personal Lives

The team discussed the impact of the documentary "Adolescence" on their work and personal lives. They found the program disturbing and emotionally challenging, particularly due to its portrayal of themes such as cyberbullying, knife crime, and toxic masculinity. The team expressed concern about the influence of these themes on their work with young people and the potential consequences for their well-being. They also discussed the documentary's potential to raise awareness about these issues and the need for further discussion and understanding.

Managing Children's Access to Technology

In the meeting, members discussed the challenges of managing children's access to technology, particularly phones, in the context of fostering. They highlighted the naivety of some parents and carers regarding the risks associated with children's online activities. The group also touched on the difficulty of setting boundaries for foster children who may feel treated differently due to these restrictions. Seamus raised concerns about the comfort level of social workers in discussing complex issues like masculinity and misogyny. The conversation ended with a reflection on the need for better understanding and communication about these issues.

Adolescence Series: Navigating Masculinity and Misogyny

The team discussed the Netflix series Adolescence, its portrayal of masculinity, misogyny, and the impact of social media on teenagers. They acknowledged the program's inaccuracies but recognised its potential to spark conversations about these issues. The team also discussed the challenges of navigating these topics, particularly for male social workers and foster carers. They emphasised the importance of proactive engagement and open conversations about these issues, both within and outside of their professional environments. The team also discussed the need for appropriate adult training and the importance of considering the impact of social media on children's lives.

Smartphones and Trauma in Children

In the meeting, members discussed the impact of shame on children who have experienced trauma. They also talked about the role of smartphones in their lives and how it affects their behaviour. A member mentioned a documentary that she found hard-hitting and recommended it to others. Emphasise the importance of adults modeling responsible phone usage for children. The group also discussed the potential benefits of banning smartphones in schools.

Addressing Misogyny in Foster Care

Discussing the importance of addressing misogyny in various contexts, including celebrity behaviour and its impact on young people. They emphasised the need for more examples beyond Andrew Tate and the importance of understanding the cultural references for children and young people. highlighted the need for fostering carers to be mindful of these topics and to challenge their friends and peers. Hannah expressed the need for further discussion on how to address these issues in foster care training. Members added that there has been a men in fostering training course,but it has not been widely promoted. The conversation ended with a discussion on the need for a more nuanced approach to addressing these issues.

Foster Care Fortnight and EDM

Hannah and Harvey discussed the upcoming Foster Care Fortnight and the Early Day Motion (EDM) in Parliament. Harvey encouraged everyone to ask their local MP to sign the EDM. Hannah also mentioned that she will be hosting another discussion in a couple of weeks, focusing on allegations.