Gender and boys' singing in early childhood

Abstract

This article derives from a research project investigating the singing behaviour of a group of Australian boys in their first year of school. The project showed that the genesis of the ‘missing male’ trend in singing at school may be occurring in early childhood. The impact of hegemonic masculinity in early childhood is explored here by examining the intersection between this group of boys' perceptions of masculinity and their singing behaviours. Peer modelling was found to be an effective motivational ‘tool’ for improving singing behaviour and illustrates the importance of finding strategies to support boys' success in singing long before adolescence.