The subculture of incels has become more and more prominent within the vastness of the internet. It’s become so easy to find other men that share the same negative ideas about women, whether this be on social media, chat rooms, or even video games. I’m sure those who have used the internet have come across incel propaganda or nasty comments spilling their hurtful views of women for all to see.
Most regular users never pay attention to them, label them “internet trolls,” and then proceed with their day. It’s easy to ignore these men when they are online because all they spew are empty threats. Sadly, incels have become a rising issue in the real world as they have gotten more bold with their actions. This issue is brought to light in Netflix’s new series, Adolescence.
Netflix’s Adolescence follows a 13 year old boy named Jaime, who we learn is what would be defined as an incel. An incel is a young man who considers themselves unable to attract women sexually. Their views on women are often hostile and sometimes violent. Jaime finds himself in trouble as he is suspected of killing one of his female classmates, leading the detectives to ask questions about his online presence on Instagram. By looking at Jaime’s Instagram, they find mean comments left by classmates on his photos along with pictures of older women he reposted which gives the detectives their first question about Jaime and his beliefs on women.
At first, the only thing the detectives were curious about was the comments made by his peers over the photos of women. The detectives learn that the main mean comment posted was from the girl who got murdered, where she used insulting emojis, picking on Jaime for being a virgin and not having a girlfriend. When asked about this by police Jaime claims that Katie is a ‘bullying b*tch’ and thinks what he did to her was justified. While in an interview, we learn that Jaime asked Katie out after pictures of her topless got spread around the school. Jaime’s thought was that because Katie is in a vulnerable position she will say yes to him. Katie ends up rejecting Jaime and says that she was not that disparate, sending Jaime into a rage because he couldn’t believe a woman would say no to him let alone think she is better than him.
Jaime, encouraged by the toxic online ideologies, decides to end Katie’s life.
What the series shows the audience is that these boys–incels are dangerous and can cause fatal harm towards people close to them. Incels are not only a threat for women but a threat for everyone around them as they feed off the need to be justified and better than others. This is strongly fueled by popular society influences like Andrew Tate and his fans.
In America, we have already seen just what this group of individuals are capable of. Countless women have lost their lives to male violence and many still don’t take this issue seriously enough. By the reaction from the audience after watching Adolescence it’s possible we can spread information about this topic and it can be taken seriously.
When we realize that this issue can be prevented, we can help the young men understand what positive masculinity is. It’s not okay that young men fueled by incel culture feel they can get away with what they are doing to and saying about women. These women are our mothers, daughters, nieces, aunts, and cousins–if you see nothing wrong with this documentary or issue, then you are part of the problem. What happens in Adolescence is not an exaggeration of what incels are capable of. If you don’t believe me, ask the families who have lost their daughters to men like this because they couldn’t handle being told no.
No one should ever have to be in this situation caused by an angry man. We can make a change and protect the ones we love if we are willing to talk about hard, uncomfortable issues.
