Why Don't Boys Sing?

Thousands of boys are afraid to sing because they fear it may damage their masculinity, according to latest research. Dr Martin Ashley, Reader in Education at Edge Hill University, has recently completed one of the most comprehensive reviews of boys and singing.

Amongst its main conclusions is the surprising finding that many boys would secretly like to sing but are afraid of their own voices. TV shows such as X Factor have played a significant part in this through promoting the idea that the only boys who sing are those who can endure public humiliation in pursuit of celebrity status.

The study coined the term "melancholic boys" for the large numbers of 8 - 14 year olds who have become progressively silenced from the joys of singing through media promoted images of acceptable masculinity.

Included in over 400 interviewed for the study were boy choristers from five cathedral choirs. The choristers proved remarkably resilient in their ability to resist peer pressure and it was their love of singing that gave them the strength.

Also significant was the respect that they received from adult males and the fact that they were not singing "childish" primary school music. The study gave a guarded welcome to choral outreach by choristers in endorsing the very important principle that young men and older boys need to role model singing for younger boys.

It was not all good news for choristers, however, as the study also suggested that it was unwise to try and make choristers "hip" through slick marketing of solo crossover albums. These earned the near-universal contempt of boys of similar age in state schools, the issue being the manufactured appeal to the "sweet angel" factor. Terry Wogan once teased Aled Jones for having so many "girl friends over 60 years old" and boys interviewed who had recorded for major commercial labels readily admitted to audiences of "grannies". Ten to fourteen year old boys aiming to establish a masculinity emergent from childhood, it seemed, were more turned off singing by this than any other factor, including the time honoured "sing like girls"!

Young Masculinity and Vocal Performance is to be published by Edwin Mellen this December, and How High Should Boys Sing? Gender, authenticity and credibility in the young male voice by Ashgate late 2008. Ends

For further press information please contact: Angela Samata Press Officer Tel: 01695 584112 Email: angela.samata@edgehill.ac.uk

Dr Martin Ashley's research was carried out with funding from the Arts and Humanities Research Council. For more information visit www.edgehill.ac.uk/future.