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Why we can’t afford to dismiss incels as fringe extremists

The manosphere and the toxic beliefs it promotes has a daily influence over young people — creating an environment that perpetuates misogyny, making schools and social spaces less safe and more hostile for girls.

The “manosphere” is a network of online communities promoting extremist and hateful ideologies, rooted in anger and resentment towards women. These messages may seem shocking, but their impact is real and far-reaching. It might be tempting to write off manosphere rhetoric as extremist nonsense, but the reality is that these views are taking root and influencing boys’ behaviour across Scotland.

The manosphere targets boys from a young age, tapping into anxieties around romantic rejection and any pressures to be a man, exposing them to harmful narratives about women, relationships, and masculinity. Such narratives are embedded in gender stereotypes already held by our society, meaning boys are primed to believe these more extreme messages.

Teachers are hearing derogatory language in schools and girls experience everyday hostility and harassment.

• In February 2023, 83% of secondary school teachers agreed that they are worried that Andrew Tate’s views, or influencers with similar views, are directly having a negative effect on male pupils’ behaviour. [1]

• In February 2024, 41% of secondary teachers reported having seen aggressive misogyny from students in their school since the start of the school year in September [1]

For girls, the influence of the manosphere creates a dangerous environment that undermines their safety and self-worth. Girls are frequently experiencing violence and verbal abuse in schools which harms their mental health and disturbs their focus on education.

• “Andrew Tate, the boys are copying everything he says, they shout it in the corridors. That Andrew Tate is a GOAT [Greatest of All Time]” - Girl, Cupar [2]

• Twice as many girls feel unsafe due to sexism in 2024 compared to ten years ago [3]

• Only 19% of all girls and young women feel completely safe at educational settings [2].

• 1 in 3 secondary school teachers have witnessed sexual harassment in their school on at least a weekly basis. [4]

How can girls focus on education in this violent environment?

• Fear of sexual harassment prevents a quarter of girls from speaking out in class. [5]

• Fear of being raped, followed home and/or kidnapped affects girls’ sleep, concentration, and ability to participate fully in learning. [6]

• Girls living in deprived areas are more likely to say that fear of sexual harassment holds them back at school. [7]

The constant exposure to these demeaning beliefs leaves many young women feeling vulnerable and damages their self esteem.

The manosphere and its messages have a significant impact on boys’ attitudes and behaviour and creates a hostile environment for girls. To support both boys’ and girls’ wellbeing and create a Scotland where all children can thrive, we must provide boys with a healthier view of the world.

By providing spaces for boys to critically explore the harmful beliefs promoted by misogynistic online content and talking to them about healthy relationships, we can foster values like respect, empathy, and equality amongst young people. This will lead them to feeling better about themselves and hold stronger, meaningful relationships with one another. Ultimately, this will help prevent radicalisation and create a Scotland free from men’s violence against women and girls.

Learn more about extreme misogyny’s impact on girls by listening to us talk to Girlguiding Scotland and the Young Women’s Movement or reading our briefing on misogyny and violence in schools.

You can learn more about the Many Good Men project on Civic Digits website and watch the short film (3 mins) for the Many Good Men play. 

Read the Many Good Men full report,

Just want the highlights? Read the summary,

Super short on time? Get the headlines from our briefing!

 

References

[1] Deo, A. (2024). ‘Plugged in but disconnected: young people and hateful attitudes,’ Hope Not Hate.

[2] Plan International UK (2024). The State of Girls’ Rights in the UK 2024.

[3] Girlguiding (2024). Girls’ Attitudes Survey 2024.

[4] UK Feminista (2017). ‘It’s just everywhere’: A study on sexism in schools - and how we tackle it.

[5] Girlguiding (2015). Girls’ Attitudes Survey 2015.

[6] Children’s Parliament (2022). Gender Equality in Education and Learning: Theory of Change Model.

[7] Girlguiding (2022). Girls’ Attitudes Survey 2022.