Young men and the far-right
As men feel increasingly disenfranchised, many are drawn to far-right politics and extremist ideologies. This trend is fueled by economic insecurity and changing gender roles. To combat these issues, society must offer men positive role models, mentorship, and opportunities for purpose, ensuring both men and women progress together.
The ideological gap between men and women in politics is growing, with men increasingly drawn to far-right, populist, and authoritarian parties. This trend, from Europe to the United States, is visible worldwide and linked to a broader sense of disenfranchisement among men, particularly those without higher education. Men are feeling economically insecure, less optimistic, and struggling with a lack of purpose as societal gender roles shift, with women outpacing men in education and employment.
This sense of dislocation has been exploited by extremist figures like Steve Bannon and Gavin McInnes, who recruit men through online platforms by offering a sense of belonging and purpose. Many young men, disconnected from traditional pathways to success, are drawn into the “manosphere,” an online community where influencers like Andrew Tate promote misogyny, hate, and violence. This online world preys on men’s insecurities, offering harmful solutions to real problems.
While economic policies, such as higher wages for traditionally male jobs and more paths to success outside of college, are important, the broader challenge is providing men with a sense of status and purpose in a changing world. To counter extremist influences, men need positive role models and mentors, and society needs to offer narratives recognizing both men and women as capable and empowered adults.
Addressing the growing ideological divide requires understanding men's discontent's deeper social and psychological roots and offering constructive paths forward. This ensures that men don’t feel left behind as women continue to make progress. This is essential not only for gender equality but also for the health of democracy itself.
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