The Rise of Masculinism: A Backlash Against Feminism

Masculinism is described as a belief that feminism undermines men, advocating for male control and a return of women to domestic roles. According to The Atlantic writer Helen Lewis, the movement is gaining traction in mainstream discourse.

“The core claim of masculinism is that feminism has gone too far, and that men are now the true victims of gender politics.”

Understanding the Ideology

At its heart, masculinism pushes back against the gains of the feminist movement. Proponents argue that modern society has systematically disadvantaged men in areas ranging from family courts to education and corporate hiring.

While traditional masculinity focuses on stoicism and provider roles, masculinism is distinctly political. It frames gender relations as a zero-sum game where any progress for women necessarily comes at the expense of men.

Key Figures and Spread

Lewis notes that the movement has found powerful advocates online and in politics. High-profile influencers, podcasters, and even some politicians have adopted masculinist rhetoric. They call for restoring the "natural order" of male leadership in both the home and public life.

The movement’s rise parallels the growth of men’s rights activism, but with a sharper edge. Where earlier groups sought equality, masculinism explicitly demands a reversal of what it sees as feminist overreach.

Mainstreaming of the Message

The most significant shift, according to Lewis, is how these ideas have moved from fringe forums to mainstream cable news and policy debates. Arguments once confined to obscure corners of the internet now appear in respectable publications and political speeches.

Critics warn that normalizing masculinist ideas could roll back decades of gender equality progress, returning women to subordinate roles under the guise of "fairness" to men.

The Core Tension

The debate raises an uncomfortable question: Can society address legitimate male grievances—like higher suicide rates or homelessness—without sacrificing hard-won women’s rights?

For now, masculinism offers a simple answer: prioritize men first. But as Lewis concludes, that simplicity is also its greatest danger, masking complex social problems behind a message of male grievance.