Teachers describe a deterioration in behaviour and attitudes that has proved to be fertile terrain for misogynistic influencers

“As soon as I mention feminism, you can feel the shift in the room; they’re shuffling in their seats.” Mike Nicholson holds workshops with teenage boys about the challenges of impending manhood. Standing up for the sisterhood, it seems, is the last thing on their minds.

When Nicholson says he is a feminist himself, “I can see them look at me, like, ‘I used to like you.’”

Once Nicholson, whose programme is called Progressive Masculinity, unpacks the fact that feminism means equal rights and opportunities for women, many of the boys with whom he works are won over.

“A lot of it is bred from misunderstanding and how the word is smeared,” he says.

But he is battling against what he calls a “dominance-based model” of masculinity. “These old-fashioned, regressive ideas are having a renaissance, through your masculinity influencers – your grifters, like Andrew Tate.”

  • Jakeroxs
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    11 months ago

    The republican party is definitely a threat, but that doesn’t mean every republican citizen is also a threat for the same reason, they’re basically brainwashed, some of them can be talked out of their incorrect beliefs.

    I agree though as well that there are basically no hard left govt officials in any meaningful sense.

    • mods_are_assholes@lemmy.world
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      11 months ago

      If they are brainwashed they are even more of a threat because they will lash out at anyone who challenges their assumed identity.

      You seem to think that they were wholly duped into this, instead of the fact that the rot in their heart is what made them susceptible to the ravings of a madman.

      some of them can be talked out of their incorrect beliefs.

      Yes, it’s true, they can. I have done it. Twice.

      Twice out of probably 1500 people in my life.

      So yes, you aren’t wrong, but you are right in such small numbers as to make no difference.

      Does it feel good to pierce a hole through their ignorance and let them see the light?

      Sure.

      Will it change the outcome of this election, not very likely.

      So let’s spend our energy on the valid targets: fence sitters and dems that aren’t planning on voting.