The Bunker – News without the nonsense The men who hate women – How sexism powers the far right
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Oct 10, 2025 Cynthia Miller-Idriss, a sociologist and author of *Man Up: The New Misogyny and the Rise of Violent Extremism*, explores the dark intersection of misogyny and extremism with Emma Kennedy. They discuss how online platforms amplify toxic masculinity and link it to real-world violence, including mass shootings. Cynthia uncovers troubling trends in gendered violence overlooked by security agencies and highlights how misogyny polices societal roles. Finally, she emphasizes that empowering women can significantly counteract political violence.
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Gender Violence Precedes Mass Attacks
- Most mass shooters have histories of gender-based violence or misogynistic behaviour, often unreported until later attacks.
- Misogyny is intertwined with racist and political motives, shaping targets and justifications for violence.
Gender Extremism Is Institutionalized As 'Other'
- US security frameworks often ignore gendered warning signs, treating misogynistic extremism as 'all other' and thus marginalising it.
- This invisibility reduces hearings, resources, and focused expertise to prevent gendered radicalisation.
Misogyny As Gender Policing
- Misogyny functions as gender policing: actions that enforce patriarchy by containing, punishing, or exploiting women and policing boys.
- Cynthia frames misogyny as active enforcement rather than mere attitudes, shaping extremist recruitment and social control.
