Archetypes of the Manosphere

* Disclaimer: While I do not align with these values, I do think they

should be discussed given their impact and prevalence within society. *

Introduction

Loneliness is an issue that many today face; in an effort to seek out connection, millions

of young men are turning to online communities within the manosphere. These groups can be

found on most platforms (e.g. YouTube) where a variety of topics are discussed, spanning men’s

self-help advice to intensely misogynistic rhetoric. Given the size and diversity of the

manosphere, numerous subpopulations have developed, connected through their shared views

towards women and society. To reference these distinct groups, a specialised vocabulary has

emerged from within the community; however, despite the dissimilarity between subpopulations,

there is still a great deal of confusion. Specifically, some within the media and political

commentary space overextend the scope of certain terms while ignoring more accurate

descriptors. Therefore, to aid in the differentiation and categorisation of these perspectives, I

briefly discuss three orientations within the manosphere, while introducing a scale aimed at

identifying one’s alignment with these viewpoints.

Men’s Right Activist (MRA)

Of the mainstream manosphere communities, MRA’s are attributed as being the least

extreme, with their discussions revolving around societal issues that disproportionately affect

men, including suicidality, false-rape allegations, and parental rights. While many of the topics

are of valid concern, when addressing struggles relevant to dating culture, some MRA content

creators bring forth extreme examples, deriving reasonable conclusions from outlying

circumstances. For instance, despite the rarity of false-rape allegations, these communities latch
onto examples of wrongful convictions, positing the cases as a common occurrence rather than a

rare exception. These practices instil a skewed worldview in their following, one that can

promote fear and resentment towards women while coaxing their audience into seeking out

increasingly charged content.

Men Going Their Own Way (MGTOW)

While MRA beliefs create the foundation of MGTOW ideology, the aim of the latter is

centred around a withdrawal from traditional romantic relationships rather than enacting societal

change. Those in the MGTOW community view marriage in Western and European countries as

a dangerous endeavour, arguing that men are discriminated against in divorce settlements, as

they are often required to financially support their partner while losing custody of their children.

Furthermore, the risk of false-rape allegations, the possibility of an unfaithful partner, and

women’s high standards are used to justify the community’s retreat from relationships. Despite

these beliefs, the extent of avoidance varies greatly, as some maintain a long-term committed

relationship, while others limit even casual contact, such as avoiding women in public spaces.

Involuntary Celibates (Incels)

Of the communities within the manosphere, incels receive the majority of attention due to

their extreme views surrounding society and female psychology. Despite wanting a romantic

partner, they have given up and become deeply cynical about women’s motives, believing all to

be narcissistic and manipulative. The community believes that within dating culture, men are

oppressed, while women are privileged as they have an abundance of choice when selecting a

romantic partner. Through these beliefs, incels have become deeply resentful of women and the

“high-value” men they choose, citing that violence toward society is a potential solution.