- Anti-feminism and reactionary ideas are growing among young men. We try to explain why and find strategies to intervene.
The warning signs are everywhere: we hear that young men are increasingly voting for far-right parties, that millions are circulating deepfakes and revenge porn through vast online networks, or that many deny the existence of gender-based violence. Additionally, we see a steady flow of videos from the ‘manosphere’ — a cluster of misogynistic online communities primarily targeting young men — that glorify the most toxic aspects of masculinity. This is cause for concern.
At Laintersección, we focus on analyzing social media and media trends to create communication strategies and collective actions. We are currently engaged in a research project aimed at launching a campaign to connect with young cis-heterosexual boys and engage them in discussions about masculinity and equality. In this article, we share what we’ve learned so far.
They Are Few, but They Are Too Many
It’s easy to get swept up in moral panic when we encounter news like those mentioned earlier, but it’s important to begin with a more balanced perspective. Perhaps the situation isn’t as dire as it seems: according to the latest Barometer from FAD, 90% of men aged 15 to 29 in Spain acknowledge that gender inequality exists. While the number of women reporting violence from their partners has increased, it’s unclear whether this is due to more incidents or improved detection and reporting. Although the report suggests that the outlook is worsening, it concludes that, for now, the most extreme reactionary positions remain a minority among young people.
To better understand the presence of the ‘manosphere’ in the daily lives of young men, we conducted an experiment. We asked a group of cis-hetero boys to let us examine their Instagram algorithms. These boys, aged 18 to 22, from various Spanish cities, had moderate, non-politicized views. Starting with a few ‘seed accounts’ they identified, we explored the content Instagram recommended. We analyzed 7,888 accounts, most of which were related to gaming, humor, and entrepreneurship. The manosphere? Yes, it was present, but marginally — only two out of the top 20 most-followed accounts fell into this category.
Using a similar methodology, we examined what TikTok’s algorithm recommended to the same boys. The result was similar: lots of humor, sports, video games, films, and TV shows, along with some mental health, food, and tech content. The manosphere did appear, but it usually slipped in through interviews on mainstream channels featuring its prominent figures. However, it wasn’t dominant. Influencers with less confrontational attitudes, such as qsma, ConPdePodcast, Club113, and Heretics, appeared more frequently. They cover general topics like friendship, science, philosophy, and sports, subtly challenging stereotypes and suggesting healthier models of masculinity.
This isn’t to downplay the existence of the manosphere or its impact but rather to put it in context. By properly understanding its presence, we can craft more effective intervention strategies.
Masculinity: Fragile and Insecure
Last January, we learned from a CIS report that half of young Spanish men believe feminism «has gone too far» and that they are now facing «discrimination.» At Laintersección, we’ve spent several months conducting interviews with education and equality professionals who work closely with young men, and they confirm that they’re observing a growing fear or rejection of feminism among this group.
This reaction manifests in two distinct ways. On the one hand, a more hostile attitude aligns ideologically with far-right political views. On the other, there’s a more moderate stance that doesn’t outright oppose feminism or deny the importance of equality but remains defensive.
The latter stance is more common among the young men encountered by the experts we consulted. These boys support the idea of equality and distance themselves from overtly misogynistic viewpoints but feel unfairly singled out by feminists. They believe they’re being held accountable for violence that they don’t directly engage in. At the same time, they often feel lost or insecure in romantic relationships. While they know what constitutes unacceptable behavior, they are uncertain about what is considered appropriate conduct for men in today’s evolving social landscape.
The 2022 FAD study, The Masculinity Box: Construction, Attitudes, and Impact on Spanish Youth, offers a revealing example: many young men interviewed complained that girls seem to only be interested in a profile they label as the «fuckboy.» In their view, girls are attracted to so-called «bad boys,» while society simultaneously expects men to be sensitive, hardworking, and morally upstanding. As a result, these young men feel they’re being presented with an overly contradictory, confusing, or even confusing model of masculinity.
They Need to Talk but Only Find Toxic Spaces to Do So
Transitioning to adulthood often brings significant uncertainty, and today’s young men are navigating this amid particularly challenging times. Many belong to generations that have experienced two major economic crises — the 2008 financial collapse and the COVID-19 pandemic — which have made it harder for them to plan for the future. Simultaneously, feminism is advocating a radical transformation of romantic relationships, leaving traditional models of masculinity increasingly out of place. This is compounded by the growing toxicity of specific dynamics on digital platforms. Experts have observed in our interviews that, throughout this period of upheaval, many boys lack adult guidance from individuals who truly understand their struggles.
For girls, feminism (broadly defined) provides key references that help shape a shared narrative to address gender-related frustrations. For boys, this space is filled by the ‘manosphere,’ a community made up of influencers, streamers, self-proclaimed «gurus,» and anonymous users who gather in comment sections and online forums. From these spaces, misogynistic narratives slowly make their way into everyday conversations and WhatsApp groups.
The emotional pull of the manosphere is undeniable: it offers these disoriented boys a sense of belonging, empathy, and support. It’s a space where their struggles are acknowledged without ridicule or judgment and where they are provided with simplified but satisfying explanations of the world. This subculture fulfils their need for connection and care.
Two video essays are particularly helpful in exploring this dynamic further. Mozo Yefimovich explains how «personal development influencers» promote toxic individualism and extreme competitiveness, while Cuellilargo details the role of «hate monetizers» — content creators who profit on digital platforms by encouraging their followers to attack and insult rivals. These insights reveal how the manosphere capitalizes on young men’s need for direction while feeding into destructive patterns.
Ways to Address the Resistance
Having identified the problem, the solution seems clear: we must help young men find support and certainty in healthier environments. This is no simple task, so we’re sharing some strategies recommended by experts who work to address resistance to gender discourse in educational settings. These approaches offer promising ways to shift narratives and foster change.
1. Work on Their Turf
The first step is to create spaces for authentic dialogue where young men can exchange ideas and express themselves without fear of judgment. Recognizing the uncertainty they navigate and connecting with their insecurities using their own language is important. Once trust is established, we can introduce conversations on topics that interest them — such as eroticism, romantic relationships, affection, health, and the concept of “liquid love.” Alternatively, indirect routes may be effective, such as discussing video games, humor, or sports to introduce new narratives and perspectives.
2. Highlight the Positives of Their Generation
It’s essential to adopt an optimistic view of young men, moving away from headlines that portray them as lazy or nihilistic. Instead, we should emphasize their strengths and the positive contributions they are already making to society. For example, many are leading change in areas like acceptance of diverse gender identities, environmental activism, and breaking traditional fashion stereotypes. Younger generations are at the forefront of social transformation, which aligns well with the message of gender equality.
3. Promote Their Agency
Many young men feel disconnected from equality discourses because they believe these issues have already been resolved or that they don’t bear personal responsibility for them. For these boys, messaging that speaks to their everyday experiences and offers practical tools is more effective. This means focusing on achievable goals and showing them realistic, small-scale changes they can make in their lives.
4. Point Out the Cost of Traditional Masculinities
Opening up to feminism may be more appealing when young men see how it benefits them personally. Traditional masculinity often comes with costs — such as difficulties in romantic relationships, risky behaviors, or emotional struggles. Helping boys recognize these downsides makes the idea of embracing healthier models of masculinity more attractive.
There is a conceptual debate here: not all experts agree with this approach. Some argue that the cost of achieving equality may outweigh the benefits for boys, as they may lose more privileges than they gain. In that case, appealing to universal values like respect and empathy for women might be the only path forward. Regardless of the viewpoint, this strategy is worth noting as part of a broader dialogue on addressing resistance.
5. Nurturing Digital Brotherhood
As mentioned, online communities are where many young men seek information, share doubts, and find a sense of belonging. These spaces offer an outlet for self-expression and connection. While girls often have well-established spaces built around sisterhood, there’s a growing need to cultivate similar spaces for boys — focused on brotherhood and fostering positive bonds between friends and peers (or «bros,» in youth slang). Creating content around this theme could help meet their emotional and communal needs in healthier, more productive ways.
What might such content look like to generate brotherhood communities that offer alternatives to the manosphere? We’ve drawn some inspiration from our research on Instagram and TikTok. The key lies in a few areas:
- Collaborations between streamers of different genders: These partnerships create space for friendship and camaraderie between boys and girls, showing that positive, healthy relationships are possible across genders.
- Approaching serious topics with humor or daring creativity: Challenges, street interviews, hidden camera pranks, or even sharing personal stories about how toxic dynamics have affected their lives can open up the conversation without feeling preachy.
- Casual analysis of their passions: Rather than lecturing, we should focus on fun, relaxed discussions around what young men already enjoy — whether it’s video games, sports, celebrities, or movie characters.
While there’s no simple solution or magic formula, it’s clear that the time is ripe to foster a positive digital brotherhood. Introducing healthier ideas of masculinity in ways that truly resonate with the younger generation is the way forward.
This article was written by Carolina Pulido in collaboration with Laintersección and was originally published in Spanish.