A Critical Discourse Analysis Exploring Representations of Male Primary School Teachers in UK and Australian Newspapers

The representation of male primary school teachers in British and Australian newspapers is a topic of increasing importance, given the ongoing discussions surrounding gender equality in education and broader societal perceptions of men in caregiving roles. Despite efforts to diversify the teaching profession, male teachers remain a minority in primary education. Media representations play a crucial role in shaping societal perceptions and attitudes towards gender roles in teaching.
This paper aims to provide a critical analysis of how the media discusses and portray smile primary school teachers, focusing on the discourses, themes, and underlying ideologies present in their representations. To achieve this, this paper will examine the discourse surrounding male primary school teachers in newspapers from the United Kingdom (UK) and Australia through the lens of Critical Discourse Analysis (CDA) from 2020 onwards (post Covid).
Through a content and critical discourse analysis of newspaper articles, this study explores how male primary school teachers are portrayed, the stereotypes perpetuated, and the implications for gender equality in the education sector. The findings highlight persistent gender biases and suggest the need for more nuanced and balanced representations of male teachers in the media.