If you're worried about the pull of the manosphere, but don't know how to help someone in your life who has been drawn in, you're not alone.
asserted
you → know → life
We asked a panel of experts to answer your common questions about the manosphere, masculinity and how to approach conversations about it.
asserted
We → ask → it
Read what developmental paediatrician Dr Billy Garvey, psychologist Dr Zac Seidler from Movember and Genevieve Sheppard from Our Watch had to say below.
asserted
Garvey → read → Watch
If you or someone you know needs help, you can click here to find a full list of resources at the end of this article.
- What is the manosphere?
- What are the signs someone is in the manosphere?
- How can we challenge misogynistic views?
asserted
we → know → views
- How can I approach this with my younger kids?
- Is the manosphere a 'passing wave' or something bigger?
- What are young men searching for in these spaces?
asserted
searching → approach → spaces
There's no single definition of the manosphere, but generally, it's the term used to describe online communities that promote narrow definitions of masculinity that oppose feminism and the gains of the gender-equality movement.
asserted
that → be → movement
As UN Women describes, "these communities promote the idea that emotional control, material wealth, physical appearance and dominance, especially over women, are markers of male worth".
asserted
control → describe → worth
What’s different today is the reach and business model.
asserted
’s → ’ → ?
Online platforms connect these groups, algorithms amplify their messages, and influencers can profit from attention and outrage.
asserted
influencers → connect → attention
A recurring tactic of those who promote messages on the manosphere is to take real difficulties — loneliness, financial insecurity or uncertainty about relationships — and blame women and feminism.
asserted
who → recur → women
That offers a simple, yet inaccurate explanation, which also reinforces male entitlement and resentment.
asserted
which → offer → entitlement
This is a harmful message for all young people to believe and absorb.
asserted
people → believe → ?
To counter this, we need to address the challenges boys and men face while challenging the idea that women owe them sex, attention or obedience.
asserted
women → counter → sex
That means well-resourced respectful relationships education in every school across Australia, supportive communities and opportunities to build belonging and connection without dominance.
asserted
That → mean → dominance
What are the signs someone is in the manosphere and how can I help?
asserted
I → help → manosphere
Watching out for this stuff early and discussing it in an open and curious way is the best solution to staying connected with someone skirting around the edges of this content, as it pulls you in very quickly if you are in a certain headspace.
asserted
you → watch → headspace
Rising grievance: A growing sense that the world is rigged against men, or that women, feminism or "the system" are to blame for how they feel.
asserted
they → rise → men
Pulling back: Withdrawing from friends or family who disagree, or becoming dismissive and defensive when challenged (this can also be a sign of broader mental health challenges or a change in character).
asserted
this → pull → character
It's a flag when they come with shame, contempt for "weak" men, or the idea that your worth depends on dominance.
asserted
worth → come → dominance
Your relationship is the best antidote, but it's key to avoid shocking or shaming them.
asserted
it → avoid → them
What does he like about this guy?
asserted
he → like → guy
What does that video tell him about what it means to be successful and what it is giving him?
asserted
it → tell → him
You won't argue your way to victory.
asserted
You → argue → victory
Take him out, show him the world, and help him interact with other people.
asserted
him → take → people
How can we challenge misogynistic views without alienating boys?
asserted
we → challenge → boys
This can be tough, and I fail at it too.
asserted
I → fail → it
Start with curiosity because correction often leads to conflict.
asserted
correction → start → conflict
"What makes you feel like that, mate?"
asserted
you → make → that
If we lecture them, we lose them.
asserted
we → lecture → them
Separate the belief from who they are.
asserted
they → separate → belief
"You've got such a big heart mate, you're better than saying those things about girls and women".
asserted
you → get → girls
We hold the line while also keeping our belief in them as good people.
asserted
We → hold → people
Many boys are lost and unhealthy messages hook them with the promise of confidence, power and success.
asserted
messages → hook → confidence
Once we understand that, we can offer better pathways for them to meet these needs, and help them see those voices are chasing their own money, status and control.
asserted
voices → understand → money
We can also share our own story, the traps we've fallen into, the hurt we've experienced and caused, and most importantly how we repaired and found a better way ourselves.
asserted
we → share → way
How can I approach this with my younger kids?
asserted
I → approach → kids
These conversations can be scary but they are already happening for our kids without us there to guide them.
asserted
they → happen → them
Our best chance is to start with low pressure, when our kids feel safe, like during a walk around the block with just us or while playing together with no-one else around.
asserted
kids → start → one
We know body language, tone of voice and lack of judgement are just as important as what we actually say, if not more.
asserted
we → know → what
Getting down to their eye level, sitting side by side facing the same direction, and keeping the conversation slow and casual helps.
asserted
Getting → get → conversation
…and 47 more, not listed.
The Aporia