Manosphere influences on young men’s masculine identities, interpersonal relationships and health: Insights from the United Kingdom, United States and Australia

• In Event: New risks to gender justice? Social media, masculinity and gender norms among adolescent boys and young men

Proposal

In a digital era dominated by an uncertain and volatile social climate for young men, the manosphere emerges as both a Gen-Z cultural phenomenon and breeding ground for social, identity and ideological security. Amidst dating advice, extreme endurance challenges, and the rise of ‘Trad’ Wives and Husbands, a digital underbelly of the manosphere persists - amplifying echo chambers and reportedly isolating disillusioned young men. Understanding its true influence requires moving beyond surface observations and alarmist narratives to hear from young men themselves about how these digital worlds are influencing their ideas of masculinity and impact their health and well-being. In this talk we will summarise qualitative and quantitative research findings from more than 3,000 young men in the United Kingdom, United States and Australia to 1) describe the complex and sometimes contradictory influence of the manosphere on young men’s masculine identities, interpersonal relationships and health; 2) offer an operationalised framework defining and delineating severity tiers and content categories within the manosphere and 3) share key methodological considerations and opportunities involved in exploring and attempting to quantify effects of this online content on young people. These insights will encourage attendees to recognise the underlying drivers influencing young men’s engagement with manosphere content and strive towards strength-based solutions that empower young men to navigate the very uncertainties which led them to the manosphere in the first place.

Author

• Krista Fisher, Movember