Subtle Signs Of Boys Being Impacted By Manosphere: A Parent’s Story
After Louis Theroux’s latest documentary sparked a whole lot of conversation (and concern) over the growing popularity of ideologies shared by certain manosphere influencers, a parent has opened up about the subtle signs she noticed her sons were being influenced by such views years ago. For those who haven’t come across the term, the manosphere is “a collection of websites, social media accounts and forums dedicated to men’s issues, from health and fitness to dating and men’s rights”, according to Robert Lawson, associate professor in sociolinguistics at Birmingham City University. Yet it’s increasingly become associated with more extreme views – particularly anti-women and anti-feminist sentiments, as seen in Theroux’s documentary. The impact of this kind of content is concerning – and parents and teachers are seeing it trickle down to school-age children. Not only can it impact the mental health of boys and men, per UN Women, but it amplifies harmful sexist stereotypes, teaches dangerous social and dating behaviour, and makes both digital and real-life spaces more hostile for women and girls. Mandy Hickson, a …









