Coronation Street Ross’s boxing lessons expose his misogyny
Ross Wilkes pushes boxing on Tyrone and Dorin, but his reaction to Ruby wanting to box exposes the sexist beliefs influencing his family.
This week on Coronation Street, Ross Wilkes’s determination to bond with his family takes another troubling turn as boxing brings his views on masculinity and girls into focus.
While Ross wants Tyrone and young Dorin to join him at a boxing gym, his attitude changes when Ruby expresses an interest in taking up the sport herself.
The storyline continues a pattern explored in our previous coverage of Ross, whose behaviour has raised serious questions about the values he is trying to pass on to his grandson. In Coronation Street: Ross’s vile beliefs raise fears for Dorin, we looked at how he shamed Dorin for playing with a doll and used Tyrone’s experience of domestic abuse to suggest that his son was weak.
Now, boxing gives Ross another opportunity to impose his ideas about what boys and men should be like. He invites Tyrone to a local boxing gym and insists that Dorin comes along, despite Tyrone’s reservations. Ross then wants the sessions to become a regular weekly activity, but Tyrone refuses, leaving his father frustrated.
The more revealing moment comes when Ruby wants to learn boxing herself. Tyrone initially tells her that boxing is not for girls and says he does not want her to get hurt. Hope Stape challenges his attitude as sexist, prompting Tyrone to back down and agree that Ruby can go.
The contrast is striking: Ross is keen to involve Tyrone and Dorin in boxing, yet disapproves when Ruby wants the same opportunity. The sport itself is not the problem; the double standard surrounding who should be allowed to participate is what makes this storyline significant.
It also connects with Ross’s earlier behaviour towards Cassie and his dismissive comments about male domestic abuse victims. His treatment of women and his insistence that men must fit a narrow idea of masculinity are different expressions of a wider pattern of control and prejudice.
Ross’s influence causes further trouble when he interferes with Tyrone’s plans for a family film night with Fizz.
After Fizz texts Tyrone asking him to pick up popcorn, Ross tells him to ignore the message, pockets his phone and pressures him to stay for another drink. Tyrone eventually returns home drunk, and Fiz accuses Ross of deliberately sabotaging their evening.
Together, the boxing storyline and the family-night incident show how Ross’s behaviour is affecting more than his relationship with Tyrone. His attitudes risk being passed on to the younger generation, while his interference threatens the family life Fizz and Tyrone are trying to maintain.
Where to watch: Coronation Street airs on ITV, with episodes available on ITVX. Image credit: ITV
