The Manosphere: An Overview

Introduction

The manosphere is a collection of various online communities united by their interest in men's issues and critique of societal norms they perceive to be unjustly biased against men. These communities provide forums where men share personal experiences, discuss societal trends, and advocate for changes in areas they consider disadvantageous to men. The collection of men's rights activists, MGTOW, Red Pillers, Pick-Up Artists, and other such groups form a digital space characterized by distinct ideologies that have grown significantly influential over the years. Such online male-oriented spaces have come to be collectively termed as the 'manosphere', signaling their male-centric stance and the internet as their primary place of congregation.

The Evolution of the Manosphere

The manosphere, as it stands today, is the result of several decades of evolution in online spaces. It gained momentum with the rise of the internet, providing a platform for men from diverse backgrounds to express their ideologies and views, particularly those related to men's rights and gender dynamics. The historical context of the manosphere is deeply interlaced with the rise of online communities focusing on men’s issues.

Although the manosphere doesn't necessarily prescribe to any singular political bent, it harbors an inherently political nature due to its criticisms of societal norms, especially those related to women's rights. Over the years, the manosphere's constituents such as Men's Rights Activists (MRAs), Pick-Up Artists, and incels have leveraged this digital stage to propagate their beliefs on an unprecedented scale, leading to what has been referred to as ‘networked misogyny’.

The emergence of groups like MGTOW can be traced back to early online men’s rights movements. MGTOW founders describe their motivations as stemming from 'a sense of alienation' and perceived societal bias against men, contributing to the rise and mainstream relevance of such movements. Infused with a new sense of purpose in the wake of movements like #MeToo, groups like MGTOW have found wider acceptance and continue to fuel the manosphere ideology.

Key communities and ideologies within the Manosphere

The manosphere is a multifarious online universe, promoting masculinity, opposing feminism, and often espousing misogynistic views. It comprises several communities, each with a unique ideology, yet united in the belief that society is biased against men due to the influence of feminism.

Among these are Men's Rights Activists (MRAs), who emerged in response to second-wave feminism in the 1970s. They originally aimed to critique and challenge conventional masculinity and address stereotypes affecting men socially, culturally, and politically. Modern MRAs perceive the gains made by feminist movements as threats, seeing themselves as fighting for men's sovereignty.

Another significant community within the manosphere is Men Going Their Own Way (MGTOW). The MGTOW movement essentially represents men actively choosing not to engage in relationships with women. It is a response to what its members perceive as societal biases favoring women, attributed to burgeoning feminism. Some MGTOW members maintain platonic relationships with women, some prefer one-night stands or visit sex workers, others choose celibacy, a trend referred to as 'going monk'. This increasingly popular movement manifests resistance to mainstream expectations regarding male-female dynamics.

Additionally, the manosphere houses other groups like Incels (Involuntary Celibates) harboring harmful ideologies that sometimes overlap with far-right politics and glorify violence against women. While the specifics of each group's beliefs sometimes conflict, the overall shared sentiment is deep-seated resentment against feminism and perceived disadvantage of men in society.