Public ideas
Two views on the manosphere
Is the manosphere a sub-culture, or are its values and norms incorporated in society in general?
We’re inclined to think of the “manosphere” as some sub-culture where insecure men come together in gatherings that span the class spectrum – from the Melbourne Club through to chat groups of angry young incels. It’s a misogynist culture most of us can avoid.
Writing in The Conversation Simon Colland of ANU describes the grubbiest and most physically violent end of this spectrum in his review of the 30-year-old movie Fight Club: Fight Club at 30: toxic masculinity handbook or clever takedown of capitalism?. He describes the darkness in the movie but he also sees a path to redemption.
Also in The Conversation is a contribution from Ben Rich and Paul Sutherland from Curtin University: You’d better start paying attention to the manosphere. You’re living in it. As their title suggests “the manosphere today isn’t limited to a handful of online communities. It’s more like a collection of ideas floating around the culture”.
They’re sceptically cautious abut programs that try to take young men out of the manosphere, because its values are so widespread throughout society.
In a conclusion that could be advice for those wondering how to counter the attraction of far-right extremism, they write:
The balm against manosphere ideas – as with many other extreme and radical beliefs – requires holistic solutions. These solutions look less like education and “respectful discourse” and more like rekindling a social contract that provides tangible material outcomes. This means meaningful, secure and achievable work, accessible housing, and ending extreme wealth disparity.