Science & Society
Societies should not ignore their incel problem
Author links open overlay panelKhandis R.Blake1@Robert C.Brooks2@
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.tics.2022.11.007
Abstract
Involuntarily celibate men (‘incels’) commonly advocate for societal disruption, including violence toward women. Their anger can make them susceptible to radicalization, revolution, or reactionary hostility. Research efforts aimed at identifying the causes and consequences of incels’ beliefs are needed to address this growing problem.
Section snippets
Societies should not ignore their incel problem
Involuntary celibates, or ‘incels’, are a self-identified subculture of heterosexual men deeply frustrated by their inability to form sexual relationships with women. Their online activities range from self-help to deeply reactionary and misogynistic discourse. Periodically, their anger spills into offline violence motivated to punish women for sexual rejection and society for perpetuating a dating environment that they feel thwarts their interests. Physical violence is a rare but growing
Who are the incels?
Between 60 000 and 100 000 incels actively participate in online forums globally, across various platforms and dedicated websitesii. A survey of 650 mostly North American and European users on incel.co indicates that incels are young (18–30 years), of diverse ethnicity (55% identify as White or Caucasian), and mostly atheist/agnostic (60%)iii. Half never attended college, and a quarter were not in education, employment, or training. Compared to the US male average, exceptionally high rates of
Incels were not born yesterday
Although the incel portmanteau is modern, aspects of the underlying problem are both widespread and ancient. ‘Young male syndrome’iv refers to the culturally widespread and disruptive propensity of younger men, particularly single men who perceive themselves to be low-status, to take risks and behave aggressively to eliminate competitors and climb the social hierarchy [9]. Self-identified incels who fulminate online and are drawn to reactionary politics are just one expression of young male
Cultural and economic drivers
Young male syndrome varies with local cultural and economic circumstances. Sex ratio imbalances intensify the challenges of finding a partner [10]. So does legalized polygynous marriage, where one typically wealthy man partners simultaneously with multiple women [11,12]. Even in societies that outlaw polygynous marriage, serial monogamy and nonmarital sex can create a de facto polygyny [14]. Online dating apps may create a similar effect, with a small number of highly desirable men gaining by
How psychologists can address the growing incel problem
While it is useful for psychologists to understand the broad-scale drivers of young male syndrome and incel self-identification that we outline here, there is also a growing need for psychological research on individual variation in response to these drivers. Why do some men gravitate to incel identity and some incels adopt misogynist and violent views, whereas some in similar circumstances do not? How does the acquisition or loss of power shape misogyny (e.g., [15])?
