The manosphere is an umbrella term for a ‘network of online communities’ that promote narrow & aggressive definitions of masculinity, along with the false narrative that feminism & gender equality have harmed men’s rights.
- Rooted in misogyny & anti-feminist rhetoric, the manosphere weaponizes digital platforms to spread hate, sexist ideologies, and reinforce deep gender bias.
Reasons behind Rising Manosphere
- Need for Validation: Increasing social isolation & a desire for belonging drive many young men toward the manosphere, where they seek support, & validation.
- Digital Anonymity: Lowerssocial/legal consequences, making it easier to spread misogyny & hatred.
- Social Media Algorithms: Amplify harmful & anti-women narratives.
- Masculinity Influencers: Many young men follow masculinity influencers who promote regressive gender roles and portray ‘men as victims of feminism’.
Impact
- Less safety for women & girls in Digital Spaces: E.g., Gamergate was a harassment campaign in which female gamers were targeted by male-supremacists.
- Undermining Gender Equality distorting public understanding of gender issues, eroding public support for gender justice & women rights.
- Fuels Real-World Harm: E.g., Verbal harassment, workplace discrimination, violence against women.
- Reduced participation in public spheres: E.g., politics, media, academia, etc.
Initiatives to Counter ManosphereGlobal
India
|