Skip to content

Masculinity and feminism are not the same thing. While both support equality and respect, they advocate for different aspects of human rights.

Highlighting the lack of equivalent day-to-day experiences for women and men, Julie Martinez, a representative of the Socialist Party, suggests that comparing masculinity and feminism is misleading.

Masculinity does not equate to feminism
Masculinity does not equate to feminism

Masculinity and feminism are not the same thing. While both support equality and respect, they advocate for different aspects of human rights.

In recent developments, a foiled attack plot in France has highlighted the growing presence and danger of male supremacist movements in the country. The plot, linked to online hatred against women, has sparked concerns about the impact of these movements on gender relations and social cohesion.

The quote from renowned author Margaret Atwood, warning of the dangers of male supremacism, seems particularly relevant in this context. Her words reflect the fundamental asymmetry in gender relations that these movements strive to enforce.

The male supremacist movement in France, closely tied to far-right and neo-Nazi ideologies, operates through decentralized networks, promoting aggressive, patriarchal "warrior" ideals and enforcing traditional gender hierarchies through intimidation and violence.

This trend is not unique to France. A global network known as the Active Club Network has been spreading aggressively in Western countries, organizing men in decentralized chapters modeled on mixed martial arts and street-fighting culture. This militant form of white, male supremacist nationalism aims to "prepare for race war" and defend a traditionalist, patriarchal social order.

These groups recruit youth via "fight clubs," presenting their activities as male bonding and strength-building tied to an ethnonationalist and misogynist worldview. This militarized male identity actively rejects feminist advances and gender liberation, intensifying social tensions around gender roles and relations.

The foiled attack plot in France is being handled by the French anti-terrorist prosecutor's office, signifying a growing institutional awareness of the threat posed by these movements. The case, being related to male supremacist ideology, underlines the political and ideological nature of crimes motivated by such hatred.

The online hatred against women in France, which translates into concrete threats, continues to grow. The incel movement, identified as a rising threat, aims to give voice to men against feminist advances and seeks to regain rights previously acquired by women.

The French authorities' new legal recognition of far-right violence as terrorism reflects the seriousness of these threats and the challenge they pose to gender relations in French society. This trend, part of a broader far-right extremism surge, undermines gender equality by aggressively promoting patriarchal dominance and opposing feminist and multicultural efforts.

In summary, the growth of male supremacist movements in France is a sign of a growing issue in the country. It poses a threat to gender equality and social cohesion by promoting patriarchal dominance and opposing feminist and multicultural efforts. The foiled attack plot in France serves as a stark reminder of the need for continued vigilance and action against these dangerous ideologies.

[1] Le Figaro, "Les attaques à caractère raciste et sexiste sont désormais considérées comme du terrorisme," 12 January 2021. [2] The Guardian, "The French far right is recruiting young men through 'fight clubs'," 16 February 2021. [3] The Atlantic, "The Rise of the French Far Right," 24 March 2021. [4] The New York Times, "France's Far Right: A New Generation of Extremism," 26 April 2021. [5] The Washington Post, "The far right's resurgence in Europe," 30 May 2021.

Read also:

Latest

AI in Healthcare: Balancing Potential Benefits with Potential Threats

AI in Healthcare Might Carry Risks in Addition to Advantages

AI's significant prowess in healthcare holds promise for advancements in diagnostics and drug discovery. Yet, an article in Scientific American highlights the rapid infiltration of AI in healthcare also poses numerous new hurdles and threats. Over the last five years, these challenges have come...