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The Rise and Evolution of the MGTOW Movement
The Men Going Their Own Way (MGTOW) movement emerged in the early 2000s as a faction of the manosphere, advocating for men to prioritize their well-being and happiness over societal expectations, including opting out of traditional relationships with women. The MGTOW ideology evolved over time, leading to variance between early and contemporary members' viewpoints. The movement has elicited significant criticism, with critics seeing it as promoting misogyny and separatism rather than empowerment.
Iain Mackay
7/11/20233 min read
The Birth and Philosophical Basis of MGTOW
The Men Going Their Own Way (MGTOW) movement emerged as a faction of the manosophere in the early 2000s. Its roots can be traced back to a blog called 'No Ma'am,' which published a 'MGTOW Manifesto' in 2001, seeking to define the movement's core principles. The founders of MGTOW advocated for men to prioritize their well-being and happiness over societal expectations. This included opting out of traditional relationships with women, whom they perceived as a contributing factor to societal unfairness.
Barbarossa's video 'post-feminist man,' which was released in 2009, is renowned for its significant role in laying the foundations for the MGTOW movement. It sparked the movement's growth and development, inspiring men to focus on personal self-improvement, financial independence, and disengagement from societal norms that they deemed oppressive or unfair. The content was well-received, gaining traction among both older and younger generations, pointing to the message's universality and its capacity to accommodate diverse perspectives. This aspect of the MGTOW movement was seen as threatening to traditional gender dynamics, but it also enabled men to focus on work and productivity, which was viewed beneficially in terms of economic enrichment and tax contributions.
The Evolution and Structure of MGTOW
As the MGTOW movement grew, it witnessed a phenomenon common among ideological movements - internal differentiation. The MGTOW ideology evolved over time, leading to variance between early and contemporary members' viewpoints. The online platforms have played a critical role in this journey, providing a stage for discussion, revolution, and divergence of thoughts. The subreddit r/MGTOW, founded in 2011, and the MGTOW Forum that emerged in 2014, were particularly instrumental in this regard. For a period after Reddit's ban on a significant incel subreddit in 2017, r/MGTOW was even regarded as the largest and most active manosphere forum.
Ideologically, the MGTOW community underlines men's rights within a society they view as influenced and tainted by feminism. This perception frequently leads them to decide to separate themselves from women - ranging from avoiding marital or long-term commitments to complete sexual abstinence or 'going monk'. Despite the controversy surrounding the MGTOW movement, it seemingly offers men a sense of identity, community and direction, particularly for those who feel disadvantaged or marginalized within society's current structure.
The Impact of MGTOW on Society and Men’s Lives
The MGTOW movement has, without question, made a mark on society and the lives of its adherents. Its intent to challenge traditional societal structures and norms gives some men a sense of empowerment. It argues that by focusing on their personal growth, wellbeing, and financial assets, men can liberate themselves from perceived systemic bias against them. Some see it as a pathway to increased productivity and improved financial status.
However, societal reactions to the movement are not uniformly positive. The choice of MGTOW members to distance themselves from women in varying degrees raises concerns and leads to criticism. From one end of the spectrum - maintaining only platonic relationships, through engaging in one-night stands or visiting sex workers, to the other end - abstaining from sex, they embody the literal translation of the movement's name. This modus operandi is often seen as a significant shift in male-female dynamics and can create tensions.
Criticisms and Controversies of the MGTOW Movement
Despite its stated goals of promoting men's sovereignty and individuality, the MGTOW movement has elicited significant criticism. Within the manosphere itself, actors such as the notorious blogger Matt Forney, mock MGTOW as a 'cult for lonely virgins'. Critics see the movement as promoting misogyny and separatism rather the empowerment it claims to advocate.
From a societal standpoint, MGTOW is considered part of the male supremacist ideology, overlapping with the neoreactionary alt-right movement, and known for misogynistic tendencies. Its online community has been implicated in cyber harassment of women, drawing negative attention and condemnation. The Southern Poverty Law Centre categorizes MGTOW as part of the male supremacist ideology. These controversies prompt an ongoing debate on the nature and implications of MGTOW within the broader context of gender rights and societal norms.
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