"Rise Up Against the Gynocentric Government": Symbolic Violence, Alternative Masculinities, and Involuntary Celibacy

Abstract

This thesis demonstrates how the men in society who claim to be the most detrimentally effected by the patriarchal standards of masculinity perpetuate patriarchal values and reproduce hegemonic masculinity by engaging in alternative masculinities and toxic behaviours that contribute to and justify their own subordination.

Through the initial examination of this research topic, it became quite apparent that there was a gap in the current literature pertaining to Incels' worldviews and opinions. Although some researchers have interviewed Incels, and other scholars have conducted research surrounding their behaviour, the knowledge produced focuses on violence or extremism. As well, it has been very difficult to find scholarly research which provides a theoretical analysis of Incels' behaviour, rather than a normative condemnation of it.

The main goal of this research project is to address these gaps, and to gain a better understanding of Incels' worldviews, opinions, problems, and solutions, by analyzing their discussions through a theoretical lens and critical paradigm. I also want this project to problematize hegemonic masculine standards and shed light on the ways in which individuals and groups can be unknowingly complacent in their own oppression. The theory that will be used in order to analyze the data collected for this research is Pierre Bourdieu's symbolic violence. The concepts stemming from this theory which will be utilized are field, habitus, doxa, social capital, symbolic capital, and misrecognition. Other concepts that will be used in tangent with the previously stated ones are hegemonic masculinity, hypermasculinity, hypomasculinity, and toxic masculinity. Intertwining this theory and these concepts will provide an extensive analysis of the data collected.

A qualitative thematic analysis will be conducted. Themes will not be pre-determined but pulled out of the data after a first readthrough of the data set, and will be analyzed through a critical lens, using the theory and concepts stated above. Using all of the above-stated data and concepts will allow for an in-depth analysis of Incels' online forums and chat rooms in order to gain an understanding of their views of the world, how these views perpetuate toxic structural systems, and consequently, their own suffering.