1A The Link Between Misogyny And Violent Extremism
Oct 2, 2025
Cynthia Miller-Idriss, a sociologist and the director of PERIL at American University, dives deep into the troubling links between misogyny and violent extremism. She reveals how histories of gendered violence often accompany perpetrators of extreme acts. The discussion highlights the pervasive influence of the manosphere in everyday interactions and explores how cultural expectations of masculinity contribute to mental health crises among young men. Miller-Idriss ultimately argues for actionable strategies to confront misogyny and its role in escalating violence.
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Gendered Histories Precede Mass Violence
- Most mass-violence perpetrators have documented histories of domestic or gender-based violence.
- These gendered harms often precede or accompany extremist acts and go underacknowledged.
Online Misogyny Spills Into Everyday Life
- Cynthia shares real-life spillover from online misogynist influencers to girls in schools and public spaces.
- Examples include playground taunts and public sexual harassment inspired by online rhetoric.
Misogyny Amplifies Other Hatreds
- Misogynistic narratives often intersect with racist conspiracies like the Great Replacement.
- Gendered fears about reproduction amplify anti-immigrant and anti-Semitic violence.
