Three teenage boys from Birmingham have spoken anonymously to the BBC about the appeal of controversial influencer Andrew Tate, who is under investigation in Romania for rape and human trafficking. The boys, aged 14 and 15, cited his wealth and lifestyle as key factors, with one stating, 'Obviously he's rich,' and another adding, 'Not having to worry about money is definitely a good thing.'
Despite being banned from major social media platforms for misogynistic comments, Tate remains popular among many male students at their school. The boys noted that highly offensive sexist, racist, and ableist material is regularly shared among classmates via WhatsApp and other apps. One incident involved naked pictures of classmates being circulated, which the boys described as 'uncool' but something they laughed about.
Their teacher reported that Tate is mentioned almost daily in lessons, with his influence growing since the start of the academic year. Dr Sophie King-Hill, an expert in child sexual behaviour at the University of Birmingham, believes Tate fills a void for boys struggling with modern masculinity. 'They're looking for direction,' she said. 'They are looking for education and Andrew Tate taps into that.'
The boys described pressure to suppress emotions and appear strong, with one saying, 'Crying at school for a man is the worst thing [you can do].' Challenging such behaviours is difficult, as going against the norm risks being seen as 'less masculine.' Dr King-Hill argues that boys have been 'marginalised' by the focus on tackling violence against women, and that involving them in discussions is crucial. The boys, however, felt their parents would not understand their perspectives.
