Teachers’ and boys’ perceptions of the teacher-student relationship in high school: Signs of affectivity, attraction, and violence emerge

Authors

  • Carl Beaudoin Université du Québec à Trois-Rivières
  • Gabriel Barbeau-Hénault Université de Sherbrooke

Keywords:

teacher-student relationship, high school, affectivity, attraction, physical and psychological violence, intimidation

Abstract

This article aims to describe the reported perceptions of teachers and boys regarding the teacher-student relationship (TSR) in high school. Anchored in a qualitative interpretative research perspective, this study thematically analyzes the comments made by teachers and boys. The main results show that some male teachers report difficulty responding to boys’ emotional needs. In addition, some female teachers report experiencing psychological and physical violence from boys. Some of the boy students report feeling attracted to their female teachers. These results raise questions about the roles of affectivity, attraction, and violence in the TSR.

Author Biographies

Carl Beaudoin, Université du Québec à Trois-Rivières

holds a PhD and a postdoctoral degree in Education. He is a Professor of Educational Psychology in the Department of Education at the Université du Québec à Trois-Rivières. His research focuses on masculinities, the relationship between teachers and students, and diversity in educational contexts. He is the director of the International Laboratory for Research and Expertise on Educational Relationships and Masculinities in Educational Contexts (LIRE-RÉMCÉ). He is a research member of the Center for Expertise and Research in Men’s Health and Well-Being (PERSGEH). carl.beaudoin@uqtr.ca

Gabriel Barbeau-Hénault, Université de Sherbrooke

holds a master’s degree in Special Education and Social Adaptation at the Université de Sherbrooke. A lecturer in the Department of Special Education and Social Adaptation at the same university, he is primarily interested in the cognitive development of children and adolescents, as well as socio-emotional assessment and intervention with young people. gabriel.barbeau-henault@usherbrooke.ca

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Published

2026-02-19

How to Cite

Beaudoin, C., & Barbeau-Hénault, G. (2026). Teachers’ and boys’ perceptions of the teacher-student relationship in high school: Signs of affectivity, attraction, and violence emerge. McGill Journal of Education / Revue Des Sciences De l’éducation De McGill. Retrieved from https://mje.mcgill.ca/article/view/10057

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