Andrew Tate is not far from the news at the moment. Although the online influencer claims to support males in negotiating society and bettering themselves, his ideologies are underpinned by dangerous and extreme misogyny.
On face value to young men and boys he may seem appealing β he is young, fit, masculine, rich and owns fast cars and nice houses. Yet scratch the surface and the issues with Tate and the negative influence he has is clear to see.
This is against the backdrop of his recent arrest for human trafficking and rape. The position of the young man and boy in contemporary culture is key to understanding how people like Tate have influence. Women no longer need a man for financial stability, they form an integral part of the labour force, they have sexual autonomy via contraception and abortion access. Whilst the landscape is far from fair for women i. Quite rightly there has been a focus upon young women and girls of late and how they negotiate the evolving nature of femininity and womanhood.
Yet, there has been little focus upon boys and how masculinity fits β or should evolve β in conjunction with this. Jordan Peterson , a Canadian academic with a large following, asserts that these changes for women are detrimental and a more conservative, traditional family should be the aim.
Whilst we would argue the opposite and that masculinity needs to evolve in light of the changes for women, rather than encouraging regression. Running alongside this is the blame culture that currently surrounds men and boys.
