One can be even-handed and egalitarian while still being a strict disciplinarian. In fact, you have to be the one to be the other. Otherwise, you're just a bully, and that means you will only pick on the weak, which the others will see as a weakness in you which they will ruthlessly exploit.

I know from teaching teenagers for several years that being supportive to young males is pointless. They will see you as weak and use your support as an excuse to coast. What brings the best out of any young male is well-regulated competition with his peers, and the knowledge that failure to perform at his best will have unpleasant consequences.