Study links ‘manfluencer’ content to extremist radicalization in men

The extremist radicalization of boys and men by “manfluencer” Andrew Tate shares concerning parallels to other forms of radicalization, such as terrorist and religious extremism, a Monash University study has found.

Published in Cultural Sociology, the analysis of more than 2200 posts by Tate on his website and messaging platform Telegram demonstrates that what might seem like innocuous or harmless “self-improvement” content is a gateway to more dangerous misogynistic and extremist content.

Monash University researchers, Professor Steven Roberts and Lecturer Dr. Stephanie Wescott, along with other colleagues, found almost nine in ten posts by Tate on his website and Telegram account focus on advancing particular projections of what he views as the ideal manifestation of manhood and masculinity.

In these posts, comprising 89% of the analyzed content, Tate positions his version of masculinity as something aspirational that will “free” men by giving them money and power.

This finding stands at odds with popular understanding of Tate’s fixation on the place of women in society, which features in only 11% of his website and Telegram content.

Professor Roberts, head of the School of Education, Culture and Society in the Faculty of Education, said the research proves the viral social media clips amplifying Tate’s views don’t accurately capture the most alarming of his harmful commentary.

“What we see in these longer-form texts are Tate’s unfiltered views and framing of masculinity, and is framed as ‘self-help’ content for men and boys to reach a superior version of themselves,” Professor Roberts said.

“The way Tate is manipulating boys and men to conform to this restrictive and narrow-minded interpretation of what a male should look and act like has the potential to be hugely damaging to culture and society in a wider sense.

“It’s concerning because it is reminiscent of the kind of messaging that drives those who feel disenfranchised by their community to identify with and act out the teachings of fringe religious or political extremist groups.”

The research analyzed posts on Tate’s website and Telegram account between 31 December 2019 and 9 January 2024, totaling 2191 posts on Telegram and 64 webpages.

Dr. Wescott, who researches the impact of Tate’s “manfluencing” on boys in Australian schools, said the analysis highlights the need to address the dangerous influence of Tate and others on boys and men in a rapidly changing world.

“Most people who see short clips of Andrew Tate and others like him would understandably think his focus is on misogyny and sexism,” she said.

“While that is undoubtedly part of their rhetoric, it shadows in comparison to the more nuanced attacks he wages against boys and men who he views as not subscribing to his very rigid interpretation of masculinity.

“What gives this content its appeal is that it’s packaged as a self-improvement product with hateful themes subtly woven in.

“As with any form of extremism, this feel and appearance of non-threatening, non-radical, and life-improving support is what makes it insidious, attractive and ultimately influential.”

Also collaborating on the paper were Deakin University research fellow Callum Jones, Western Sydney University Associate Professor Lucy Nicholas, and Coventry University (UK) Assistant Professor Marcus Maloney.