O movimento da supremacia masculina e propagação de ódio nas redes: um ensaio sobre a cultura Incel

Abstract

In this paper, the origin of the male supremacist movement and its trajectory, which today constitutes a contemporary manifestation of hatred and misogyny seeking to revive outdated standards of toxic masculinity, will be exposed. Using the methodology of the hypothetical-deductive method, the study raises hypotheses about the motivations and behaviors of this movement, testing them with empirical data and qualitative analyses. The movement arises in reaction to the growing autonomy of women and the redefinition of expectations in the professional world, challenging men who have not kept pace with this evolution. These men, often gathering on the internet, expect women to submit sexually, even without conforming to the old gender stereotypes. In the online community, the term "incel" (short for "involuntarily celibate") refers to men who consider themselves unable to find romantic or sexual partners despite desiring such relationships. They share frustrations in forums, expressing feelings of sexual and social exclusion, often fueled by an ideology that deems social norms favoring physically attractive and successful men as unfair. This incel subculture includes beliefs such as "hypergamy" (the idea that women prefer partners of superior status) and "Red pill" (a reference to the movie "Matrix," indicating an alleged awareness of the distorted reality of relationships). Some members advocate extreme and misogynistic ideas, blaming society and women for their romantic difficulties. Extreme violence cases perpetrated by individuals identified as incels highlight the transformation of personal frustration into hatred and aggression. The internet, by promoting global connections, also facilitates the spread of hate speech, challenging traditional concepts of community and raising questions about freedom of expression and digital responsibility. Historically, the gender hierarchy in Western society has privileged men. In the 19th century, women were subjugated, and power spaces were dominated by men. Today, the frustration of men who do not adapt to social changes manifests in movements like the manosphere, which includes ideologies like Redpill, Mgtow, and incel. In Brazil, forums like DOGOLACHAN influence men to commit hate attacks, exalting the image of the white heterosexual man. These forums are monitored by the police due to the incitement of violence against minorities. The internet shapes contemporary human life, challenging traditional concepts of community and raising ethical questions about the spread of hate speech and online responsibility, resulting in cybercrimes. This study highlights the urgency of understanding both the potentials and challenges of digital influence on our collective experience.