Sesame Workshop warns of boys’ silent struggles
Sesame Workshop warns boys face hidden struggles, from education setbacks to unspoken trauma, and calls for gender equity efforts to include boys alongside girls.
In the push for gender equality, South Africa has made important progress in supporting girls and women.
But new research suggests that many boys are being left behind.
A report by Sesame Workshop International South Africa (Swisa), the team behind Takalani Sesame, shows that boys are falling behind in key areas of development and are often excluded from conversations about gender and care.
According to the Thrive by Five Index 2024, only 37% of boys in South Africa are on track for early learning, compared to 48% of girls. Boys often lag in skills such as fine motor coordination, problem-solving, and emotional readiness. These gaps, researchers said, are not biological but shaped by stereotypes and environments that discourage boys from showing vulnerability.
“Too often, boys are raised to believe they must be tough and hide their feelings,” said Erika Jooste, education and gender manager at Swisa. “This leaves many without the support they need to thrive.”
Also read: Fathers embrace parenting through Sesame Workshop project
The silence around boys’ struggles is also seen in homes affected by violence. Studies show that boys living with abusive fathers are rarely helped to make sense of their trauma. Many interventions focus mainly on mothers and daughters, leaving boys to cope alone.
“Boys are taught to act invulnerable, but this denies them the right to be vulnerable and to seek help,” said Mari Payne, deputy managing director at Swisa.
At the same time, research highlights that boys want to do better. The Navigating Boyhood in Sub-Saharan Africa report found that boys aged 8–13 often disengage from school and face violence, but they also aspire to be caring fathers, supportive partners, and respected community members.
To address these challenges, Sesame Workshop has used Takalani Sesame as a platform to break gender stereotypes. Seasons 15 and 16 of the programme introduced stories where boys show emotion, girls take leadership roles, and caregiving is shared across genders. The aim is to encourage children and caregivers to view empathy and care as strengths.
“Gender equity is not about choosing between girls and boys, it’s about choosing all children,” Jooste said. “If we support boys as well as girls, we can raise a generation that is kinder, stronger, and more connected.”
Sesame Workshop believes that by creating safe spaces for boys to talk about feelings, challenging harmful media messages, and nurturing empathy, South Africa can build a more compassionate future for every child.
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