Boys Don't Cry: Context (WJEC Eduqas GCSE English Literature): Revision Note
Exam code: C720
Boys Don't Cry: context
The best answers to questions on Boys Don’t Cry demand more than a basic grasp of the storyline. To respond effectively, you need to understand the social, literary, and historical contexts that shape Malorie Blackman’s novel. This includes recognising how issues such as teenage parenthood, masculinity, family responsibility, and social expectation influence the characters and events, and being able to explain why these contextual factors are significant to the novel’s wider message and purpose.
This page will explore and analyse the novel’s:
Historical context
Social context
Literary context
Examiner Tips and Tricks
Examiners expect you to move beyond analysing methods and demonstrate an informed understanding of the novel’s social and historical context. You should show awareness of the period and setting of Boys Don’t Cry, and of the attitudes and pressures that shape the world Malorie Blackman presents. Context clarifies why characters respond as they do and why particular issues carry weight within the narrative.
There is no need to provide extensive background detail. Instead, integrate context purposefully. Rather than inserting isolated facts about the time period, explain how those circumstances influence characters’ decisions, relationships, or conflicts. This approach demonstrates that you are using contextual knowledge to strengthen interpretation, rather than treating it as separate information.
Historical context
Boys Don’t Cry was written during the 2000s and published in 2011. Although not far in the past, there have since been shifts in the dynamics around subjects like teen parenthood and masculinity.
Whilst the issues explored by Malorie Blackman in the novel are still relevant today, a changing idea of masculinity means that today’s readers may be shocked at how the concept was viewed at the time, especially with the proliferation of so-called “lad mags” and prevalence of casual homophobia.
Fears about the high rates of teenage pregnancy had become a government issue in the late 90s and early 2000s, leading to cross-parliament research and policies put in place to try and halt what was seen as a growing issue to social mobility and equality.
Teen parenthood
In the late 90s and the 2000s, the UK’s teenage pregnancy rates were among the highest in Western Europe
In 1999, the Labour government launched a cross-government strategy that aimed to halve the rate of conception for under-18s over a decade:
The goal of halving the rate was met in 2014
It was seen as an issue of social exclusion, with teenage parents locked into a life of parenting:
These teens then withdrew from their social groups and were far more likely to leave education, leading them to lower-skilled jobs and lower earnings
This is also an issue that echoed through generations:
Children of teenage parents were more likely to struggle in school, in work, and become teenage parents themselves:
The UK government saw this as cycle of deprivation that forced families into a loop of socioeconomic difficulties
It was also believed that growing up in poverty or inequality made it more likely that a teenager would become a teenage parent:
This then fed them into the cycle, meaning they were far more unlikely to get out of poverty
Masculinity
The “lad” culture of the 1990s lingered into 2000s Britain, even as concepts like the metrosexual male started to emerge:
“Lad mags” like Nuts and Loaded were still popular, reinforcing an idea of men as heterosexual beings who should chase girls and rely on edgy comedy
The rise of knife crime in the mid-2000s shows masculinity can lean towards violence:
This is also an example of how peer pressure leads teenagers, in this instance teenage boys, into violent and antisocial behaviour
The 2000s also saw popular films like Green Street and The Football Factory which celebrated fighting:
These films were popular with young men and teenagers
The lead characters were all involved in and good at fighting, presenting it as part of a fun lifestyle that included nights out, drinking and drugs, but also friendship and intense bonds
How this links to Boys Don’t Cry | |
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Teenage pregnancy | Dante and Melanie are both teenagers and their pregnancy is both unwanted and unexpected. They become a statistic, two more parents caught in the loop. Both are victims of social exclusion, with Melanie forced out of her family home, out of school, and out of the area as she eventually moves away to try restart her life. Dante stops going out, loses his girlfriend, and is reluctant to even celebrate his 18th birthday. |
We see that both Melanie and Dante have their lives in education changed. Melanie suddenly left school, with nobody sure where she had gone to, and so didn’t finish her A-levels. Dante has to withdraw from university, even after his four A-stars. Whilst he may go in the future, his life is now about Emma, and he is likely to be away from education until he is a mature student. | |
Both parents are stuck in a cycle of lower pay and potential poverty. Dante, with an education that could end before university and no work experience, struggles to find any work that will fit around Emma. Melanie is forced out of two family homes before the age of 18, having not finished her A-level education. | |
Masculinity | Dante is close to blaming Melanie for the pregnancy. When he retells the story of Emma’s conception, it is clear he never considered a condom, assuming Melanie would be on the pill. It shows a mindset that prioritises sex and assumes women will be responsible. |
The homophobia seen in the novel comes from a misguided view of what it means to be a man, seen in the magazines that were popular with young men at the time. Tyler and Dante both wish to ignore Adam’s sexuality, wanting him to keep it secret. Josh assumes he will lose all his friends and family as they would see him as less of a man. His response to this is an inner turmoil, showing the issues of toxic masculinity and peer pressure that can cause problems in teens. | |
Dante’s need for violent revenge stems from this view of what it is to be a man. This is reinforced by Tyler’s reaction to Adam’s assault, showing frustration that Dante hasn’t protected his younger brother, as if it is his job as an older brother to physically protect Adam. This shows an expectation of an ability to fight. | |
Social context
At a time when the UK was concerned about high teenage pregnancy rates, single parents were a common target for shame and blame. Teenagers can also be seen as not fully appreciating the family unit. The story of Boys Don’t Cry focuses on how important family can be in helping us find our place and live a full life.
The time in which the story is set saw casual homophobia being more common. The 90s had been defined in Britain as the era of the “lad”, whether that be through magazines like Loaded and FHM, or the behaviour of celebrities in the Britpop movement or sports stars like footballers. This continued into the 2000s, where it was seen as acceptable enough for TV and other media to use homosexuality as a punchline, and as an insult to a man. The topic was hotly debated, as Civil Partnerships were introduced, but same-sex marriage was not legalised until 2013. This environment of public debate left many LGBTQ+ individuals feeling like their identities were up for discussion, increasing the risk of discrimination, hate crimes and violence — exactly the type of prejudice that fuels Josh’s attack on Adam.
Single parents and the family unit
With teenage pregnancies, families are less likely to be settled which leads to more single parents:
This emphasises the social exclusion of young parents, as they are less likely to have a partner at home with them to share the load and give them free time
Single parenting is harder, with responsibility falling on one person and no time for a break as someone else takes over
A stretched single parent is also less likely to be able to find work that fits in with childcare demands
Single parents are more likely to feel under emotional strain as they don’t have a partner to share their concerns and frustrations with:
Whilst support and friendship groups help, having someone in the home with you for the hardest parts takes away some of the stress
Raising a child is incredibly hard work, whether single or not, and becomes the priority in life:
Having a strong family around can help
Single parents, especially young ones, can face judgement from society:
Having an unplanned child can be seen as irresponsible and immature
Some parents are forced to rely on government support to supplement their income, especially single parents who are unable to get out to work:
Society is not always kind to those who need that supplementary income, both in person and through the press
Homophobia
At the time of writing, single sex marriages were still not legalised in England and Wales:
Civil Partnerships were legalised in 2004 in the UK, but same sex marriages not until 2013
With Civil Partnerships legal, but marriage not, the idea of gay marriage was a topic of debate:
This made attitudes to homosexuality an open conversation in England, which left many LGBTQ+ individuals feeling like their identities were up for debate, too
By becoming a high-profile debate, LGBTQ+ communities were at risk of attacks of discrimination, violence and hate crimes:
Being in the media repeatedly, especially in an environment where commenters could feel empowered to give reasons why same-sex marriage shouldn’t be legalised, may have highlighted the issue to people who were prejudiced against LGBTQ+ communities
The culture of mainstream masculinity also made homophobia more common:
By seeing masculinity linked to straight male behaviour, it allowed some men to see gay men as lesser than them
Gender roles
Gender stereotypes mean that some people see certain roles and actions as related to one specific gender:
Traditionally, women are seen as the caregivers, and expected to be the ones who do the majority of the parenting
Men are then expected to be out at work, playing the role of provider
Men are also not expected to be vulnerable and share emotions with family and friends, sticking to a role of stereotypical man and limited ideas of masculinity:
This can lead to problems festering and growing, especially as men isolate themselves and do not release the stress
Many believe that women are natural mothers and will take to it with ease and comfort:
This forces women into the role, with society expecting it and men less likely to see themselves as the primary caregiver
This also brings pressure, as women who do not feel like confident or natural mothers might feel less of a woman
How this links to Boys Don’t Cry | |
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Single parenting | Dante is faced with limited options once Emma is left with him. He soon realises he will not be able to go off to university, and then struggles to find work that will fit around his responsibilities with Emma. He is lucky; his family come together to support him, and whilst they do not take on full responsibility, they allow him time and support. Equally, living in the family home means that Dante is not spending money on rent and bills. |
Melanie has very limited support, and struggles because of it. With no respite, stress piles on top of her, and eventually she starts to become overwhelmed by her own thoughts, which are not specified but clearly implied to suggest Emma would not be safe. Unlike Dante, she is abandoned by her family, and has left school and lost her social contacts, leaving her completely isolated. | |
The support of family doesn’t just help Dante, but also Adam. As the family grows closer, both young men start to feel more comfortable at home. It is what saves Adam from his despair, whilst Dante starts to appreciate his father as he spends more time as a father himself, and understands the benefits of a close family as he realises he would rather be with them than hunt for revenge. | |
Homophobia | Adam feels forced to keep his relationship with Josh a secret, because his family do not support his sexuality, and Josh is ashamed. He also feels like he is not loved as his complete self, with both Dante and Tyler making him feel like he needs to keep this part of himself private. As such, this affects his self-esteem, which does not look like it will be a problem until he is attacked, and then feels he has no support at home. |
The physical attack on Adam is, sadly, the kind of thing that was all too common for gay men, and still remains an issue. Prejudices seem to fuel anger in people, and aggressive and abusive behaviour is something LGBTQ+ people have to be much more wary of. Josh feels lesser, ashamed, and attacks Adam as he looks to prove to others that he isn’t gay, whilst also attacking his own sense of shame. | |
That many of the characters feel comfortable being homophobic shows that they could be without a fear of judgement. Whilst Logan and Paul are comfortable being homophobic in public, Dante and Tyler’s homophobia is quieter. They do not see themselves as homophobic or problematic as they are not being outright abusive or insulting. This shows that a level of homophobia is seen as somewhat acceptable. | |
Gender roles | The pressure on Melanie to be a mother means she is judged for struggling. She feels this pressure herself, punishing herself and feeling a failure. |
Boys Don’t Cry challenges the stereotype that men are absent and distant fathers, commonly expected to run out on their families, especially as young men with unplanned pregnancies. People are shocked that he is a father, and Dante finds it easier to tell people in public that Emma is a sibling, with people reacting differently if they find out that he is her father. | |
The story also highlights how men are not expected to show emotional support for each other and emotional vulnerability to their friends, family, and peers. The arrival of Emma changes this, with Dante slowly realising he needs to ask for help and show the vulnerability he is feeling in order to get more support. Tyler, a single father after his wife’s death when the boys were young, has done what he sees as his manly duty, taking on parenthood and providing for his boys, but only learns to give them more emotional support when both Dante and Adam have their lives turned upside down. It still takes a woman, Aunt Jackie, to show them how opening up can help. | |
Literary context
Malorie Blackman is one of Britain’s leading authors and a prolific writer for children and young adults. She is known to tackle sensitive and sometimes inflammatory subjects, shining a light on inequality and showing her audience the consequences of negative behaviours, stereotypes and ideas. Her works are largely grounded in reality, and use everyday people to highlight issues her readers may face and need to learn to understand.
Whilst much of her work sits within social realism, the message and morals she teaches through her work mean she can also be categorised within didactic literature, in which a moral message of sorts is intended for the reader to digest and learn from.
Social realism
Social realism is a subgenre of realism, which looks to focus on the commentary of lived experiences, particularly those that sit outside what is considered the social norm or are often overlooked by mainstream society
They frequently present the perspective of the working classes, examining the inequalities and social injustices that shape the lives of people on the margins of society:
Blackman illustrates this through the character of Melanie, for example
Works of social realism, such as Boys Don’t Cry, are typically naturalistic in style:
They are set in recognisable, real locations and aim to present a believable world, often conveying a wider message about society through a grounded and realistic tone
Blackman does not romanticise Dante’s situation, but includes unglamorous details of parenthood, such as foul-smelling nappies and baby vomit
Characters in these texts often function symbolically as well as narratively:
Rather than existing purely to move the plot forward, they can represent aspects of society, including particular social classes, cultures, races, national identities, or broader social attitudes
This is seen in Boys Don’t Cry in the characters of Josh and his friends
The relationships between characters are also significant:
Social realist texts often explore how relationships develop through cooperation and conflict, while also showing how living conditions and social context shape the decisions and behaviour of individuals
Stories within this genre are frequently written to raise awareness of social issues and to highlight the kinds of inequalities or tensions that can lead to division within society:
Blackman uses this social realist framework to challenge her readers
Didactic Literature
Didactic literature is the name given to writing that is created with the intent of giving the reader a message, and teaching the reader a moral lesson, principle, or just a clear idea about values and behaviour:
Books for young people, whether that is the teen market or for children, often have didactic themes as they are material for people at an impressionable age
Early examples may be things like fables and parables, whilst religious writings would use fiction to express a message
The writer is often aiming to guide the reader towards an understanding or conclusion about what is happening, and a firm idea of what is right and what is wrong:
They are often about broader messages referring to how we act as a society
The characters within these stories are used to represent the moral ideas:
Characters may develop in different ways based on their stances on issues and their reactions to events
The events of the story are then structured around this, ensuring actions lead to clear outcomes
Characters that present behaviour that the writer wishes to encourage are often rewarded in the text and have better outcomes, whilst others may act as a warning as they are given consequences that resonate with the reader
Many social realist texts can be seen through this prism:
They highlight inequality and commentate on the lived experiences of others, and show us the positive and negative impacts of different circumstances and behaviours
The relationships between different characters can also be used to communicate the lessons of the text:
This is particularly true when there are conflicts, which often reveal how different attitudes and values change relationships and dynamics
Many didactic works are written to influence the reader’s thinking, encouraging reflection on ethical behaviour, responsibility, or social expectations:
Maloire Blackman has written many novels for children and young adults, and often tackles topics which she feels are socially important for her audience, looking to guide them towards kinder opinions on the subjects
Overall, the main purpose of didactic literature is not only to tell a story, but also to instruct the reader and promote a clear message or lesson
How this links to Boys Don’t Cry | |
|---|---|
Social realism | The story focuses on normal people and how they react to a situation, with the Bridgeman family typical of many British families. Dante is like any young man faced with an unplanned pregnancy, and how he deals with it is grounded in a way that ensures it resonates with Blackman’s target audience. |
Boys Don’t Cry addresses homophobia in British society, focusing on how different individuals can be affected in different ways. Adam and Josh are representative of different struggles young LGBTQ+ individuals face. The book is a commentary on homophobia, and the difficulties of growing up whilst questioning your sexuality, as well as ingrained attitudes of masculinity and toxic masculinity. | |
How the characters end the story is also indicative of social realism. The relationships are the story, instead of major plot points and characters moving from point A to B. The story concludes with the characters in the Bridgeman family growing more open and emotionally available, and closer together. | |
Didactic literature | Boys Don’t Cry is written for a teenage audience and highlights issues that are important to them. Blackman tells a story of a young man who stays and looks after his child conceived after having unprotected sex. This could be the author trying to remind young adults about the responsibilities they have when having sex, and the importance of safe sex. It works as a lesson, even with positive outcomes at the end of the story, that the unintended consequences of sex can be parenthood, and it can happen to anyone, even on their first time. |
The homophobia in the story is also used to teach readers about its negative impact. Josh is angry, hurt and confused having internalised the homophobia around him. If he felt he could come out and live naturally, he might not be as aggressive or ashamed of himself. This, as well as the attack on and the language used towards Adam, show a young audience the consequences of homophobia. | |
The story ends differently for those characters who have done the right thing versus those who have not. We do not hear much of Logan, but we know he has lost his place at university and appears to be drifting. Melanie is alone without her child. Adam, Tyler and Dante all change for the better and they are all rewarded, even if Adam’s “reward” comes with him still dealing with rebuilding his self-image after the attack. | |
Sources
Blackman, M. (2010). Boys Don’t Cry. Random House.
Hill, A. (2017, September 20). How the UK halved its teenage pregnancy rate. The Guardian. https://www.theguardian.com/society/2016/jul/18/how-uk-halved-teenage-pregnancy-rate-public-health-strategy (opens in a new tab)
Ayph. (2025, May 8). The Teenage Pregnancy Strategy 25 years on. Ayph. https://ayph.org.uk/the-teenage-pregnancy-strategy-25-years-on/ (opens in a new tab)
Jha, A. (2020, July 1). Lad culture corrupts men as much as it debases women. The Guardian. https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2006/mar/30/comment.prisonsandprobation (opens in a new tab)
Campbell, B. (2007, April 13). It’s a guy thing. The Guardian. https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2007/apr/13/itsaguything (opens in a new tab)
Mambrol, N. (2025, May 2). Didactic Literature. Literary Theory and Criticism. https://literariness.org/2025/05/02/didactic-literature/amp/ (opens in a new tab)
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