‘Femcel’ influencers urge their followers to give up on gender equality and use men for financial gain – in the name of feminism

Summary

The “femosphere,” a growing online space for women, mirrors the misogynistic “manosphere” with toxic ideologies, including anti-gender equality views and strategies to “conquer” men.

The term describes communities like Female Dating Strategy and “dark feminine” influencers who reject liberal feminism, advocating traditional gender roles as empowering.

“Femcel” influencers urge their followers to give up on gender equality and use men for financial gain – in the name of feminism.

Critics warn these spaces mix conservative and feminist ideas, creating “anti-feminist feminism” that appeals to those disillusioned with mainstream feminism.

While less linked to violence than the manosphere, researchers caution against its potential for radicalization and harm.

  • Flying Squid@lemmy.world
    384·
    24 days ago

    In the femosphere, as in the manosphere, there’s an overarching belief that life is about survival of the fittest, that men will always hurt women and that will never change, so strategies are needed to conquer the opposite gender.

    I’m not a massive fan of the guy they nailed to a tree 2000 years ago for saying maybe people should be nice to each other once in a while, but the violent reaction to that suggestion no longer surprises me.

  • givesomefucks@lemmy.worldEnglish
    221·
    24 days ago

    Lots wrong in this article…

    “I used to be a feminist before I saw the effects of third wave feminism,” Batra said. “This has forced women into masculine roles where they are pursuing men.”

    But that’s dumb, for a shit ton of reasons it works out best when women are the ones who first show interest rather than men hitting on anything that moves

    • NotSteve_@lemmy.ca
      5·
      24 days ago

      Do you mean there’s lots wrong in the movement or the actual article because that’s just a direct quote

      • givesomefucks@lemmy.worldEnglish
        4·
        24 days ago

        I meant there are lots of things wrong in the article.

        But that quote was dumb.

        I realize that’s almost exactly word for word what I said the first time, but I can’t think of any easier way to say it.

        It’s two distinct statements, I guess it would have been clearer to put:

        But:

        “Quote”

        Instead of putting the “but” after the quote but that just seemed cumbersome and it flowed better keeping the text together

  • WhatSay@slrpnk.netEnglish
    17·
    24 days ago

    The gender war continues, and my nonbinary ass is sitting back and not getting involved.

    • xmunk@sh.itjust.works
      12·
      24 days ago

      The best part about being in the middle is that both teams hate you! /s

      I personally identify as a non-conforming man and the amount of hate I get from traditionalists on both sides is deeply disappointing.

      • WhatSay@slrpnk.netEnglish
        2·
        24 days ago

        Yeah, people feel threatened by any behavior that doesn’t conform to their norms. I practice apathy towards their attitudes, and keep an eye out for violence.

        • xmunk@sh.itjust.works
          2·
          24 days ago

          Ditto, given my ADHD, love of fantasy and other things I’ve always been an outsider. Their judgment is their problem - my partner loves me as I am and that’s not only the opinion I care about the most but also the only one that’s really relevant since I’ve no intention of forming either a platonic or romantic relationship with any hater.

          The only real thing that hurts is when my expression hurts my loved ones. I recently had to go to a funeral in the south and I dressed normally for my flights and transit but eschewed a skirt and wore slacks to the ceremony.

          Thankfully as a large man, while I’m a friendly giant, I am a giant and physical threats are extremely rare. But I do have trans friends who have faced real danger.

  • Not_mikey@slrpnk.net
    101·
    24 days ago

    Thankfully this is a community that was left on reddit. Same with the manosphere.

    There seems to be a lack of gender culture war bs on lemmy that you see on a lot of other platforms. It’s good that there is a pretty progressive consensus on gender here. Probably enforced by a legion of trans people, and to that I say thank you for your service.

    • Beldarofremulak@discuss.onlineEnglish
      15·
      24 days ago

      I’m here for it. Andrew Tate and his garbage made the bottom rung of men extremely visible and avoidable. Now the bottom rung of women will be emboldened to express their smooth brains too. They both can all fall in love and feed each other’s rage endorphin addiction.