“It’s his fast cars, his ability to talk in a way [that] motivates people.”
For thousands of boys, former kickboxing champion and social media influencer Andrew Tate is a role model.
And that’s despite being banned from platforms like TikTok and Instagram for misogynistic comments. He is now being investigated in Romania on suspicion of rape and human trafficking.
Three Birmingham teenagers agreed to speak anonymously to the BBC about the pressure young men face and Tate’s attractiveness.
The answer is simple: “Obviously he’s rich,” one said, adding that Tate’s claims of having many relationships with women are another factor.
Another 15-year-old added, “Not having to worry about money is definitely a good thing.”
In 2016, Andrew Tate rose to prominence after being removed from the Big Brother house over a video that appeared to show him assaulting a woman. The woman later said it was just roleplay between them.
But in recent years he’s built a massive audience, thanks in part to his digital business forum Hustler’s University, which purports to teach users how to make money online.
Subscribers pay £40 a month and want to learn how they too can live the lavish lifestyle Tate portrays on social media, complete with private jets and luxury cars. Some have criticized the forum as a place for spreading dangerous ideas.
Last year, the 36-year-old was banned from YouTube, Facebook, Instagram and TikTok for misogynistic comments, and in December he and his brother Tristan were arrested in Romania on allegations of rape and human trafficking, which both deny.
But the teenagers at this Birmingham school believe Tate is still liked by the majority of their male classmates.
The BBC agreed not to identify the boys or their school so they can speak more openly.
“I think a lot of people can relate to him when they’re trying to do something better for themselves,” said one.
Her teacher said Tate was tutored almost every day during class time and they had noticed an increase in his influence since the beginning of the school year.
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There have also been instances at school where nude photos of her classmates have been shared online.
“[The photos] been passed around,” said one of the boys. “We were uncool and laughed about it.”
The boys said highly objectionable sexist, racist and ableist material was regularly shared between classmates via WhatsApp and other social media.
At the University of Birmingham, Dr. Sophie King-Hill investigates the sexual behavior of children and adolescents and is an expert in her field.
She believes Tate is a role model for boys who are struggling to understand what it means to be a man in 2023, and he provides guidance where little else is available.
“You’re looking for a direction,” she said. “They’re looking for education and Andrew Tate is tapping into it.”
While she believes the increased focus on tackling violence against women and girls in recent years is right, Dr. King-Hill that as a result “young boys have been marginalized”.
At school, teenagers said they felt pressured not to show emotion and appear strong.
“Crying for a man at school is the worst [you can do]said one. “You will be humbled for it.”
Another added, “If someone challenges you to a fight or if you refuse a fight or run away, you can be seen as less manly and weak.”
When asked if they would like to challenge such behaviors, the boys said it was not an option.
“You should like something like that and if you go against it, you’ll be seen as less masculine,” said one.
Another added: “You’ve got a group of guys laughing at something and you mean it. You will be the outsider.”
But dr King-Hill said there was hope to tackle misogyny if society listened more to young men, but the boys said they didn’t feel their parents understood.
“We might not like what we hear initially, but when that happens and that’s their perception, that’s the starting point,” said Dr. King Hill.
“Statistically, most cases of sexual harassment are committed by boys against girls. But instead of bringing boys into the discussion of how to reduce it – and why – boys are being left out because they are blamed.”
She said the focus must be on positive role models such as Manchester United and England footballer Marcus Rashford, who was made an MBE in 2020 for his campaign to tackle child food poverty.
“Marcus is young, he’s fit, he’s healthy, he’s male, he’s rich,” she said.
“He’s similar to Andrew Tate in a lot of ways, but he uses his profile to do good.”
Police have not yet filed any charges against Tate and his brother. However, they remain in detention in Romania.
They were held on suspicion of human trafficking, rape and forming an organized crime group and deny all allegations.
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