Incel Culture: The Digital Face of Toxic Masculinity

Abstract

The study aims to highlight the psychological and sociological issues generated by the incel movement and the influence of masculinity norms shaped by toxic masculinity. The “incel” (involuntary celibates) movement, which has evolved into a unique online community, has become a noteworthy social phenomenon in terms of its origins and evolutionary process. Driven by emotional dynamics such as social isolation and exclusion, this movement has spread through online platforms and gradually formed its own identity and discourse. The profound effects of toxic masculinity on the incel community are examined in terms of how male roles are reshaped within this group. Analyzed from psychological and sociological perspectives, these profiles highlight the dynamics of male-female equality and the impact of feelings of exclusion on incel individuals. Misogyny and gender-based violence tendencies lie at the heart of the incel movement, fueling a culture of resentment and hostility within the community. The movement’s presence on online platforms and its violence-prone rhetoric reflect deep tensions in gender relations. The representation of the incel community on social media and forums accelerates the radicalization processes, further amplifying the destructive impact of this community on society.

Keywords

• incel
• toxic masculinity
• violence
• dijitalization

İncel Kültürü: Toksik Maskülenitenin Dijital Yüzü

Abstract

Çalışma, incel hareketinin yarattığı psikolojik ve sosyolojik sorunları ve toksik maskülenite etkisindeki erkeklik normlarının etkisini vurgulamayı amaçlamaktadır. İnternette kendine özgü bir topluluk olarak gelişen “incel” (involuntary celibates – istemsiz bekârlar) hareketi, kökenleri ve evrimsel süreci itibarıyla dikkat çekici bir toplumsal fenomen haline gelmiştir. Sosyal izolasyon ve dışlanmışlık gibi duygusal dinamiklerden beslenen bu hareket, çevrimiçi platformlar aracılığıyla yayılmış ve giderek kendine ait bir kimlik ve söylem oluşturmuştur. Toksik maskülenite kavramının incel topluluğu üzerindeki derin etkileri, erkeklik rollerinin bu grup içinde nasıl yeniden şekillendiği üzerinden ele alınmaktadır. Psikolojik ve sosyolojik açılardan değerlendirilen bu profiller, kadın erkek eşitlik dinamiklerine ve dışlanma duygusunun incel bireyler üzerindeki etkilerine işaret etmektedir. Kadın düşmanlığı ve cinsiyet temelli şiddet eğilimleri, incel hareketinin merkezinde yer almakta ve topluluk içinde belirgin bir öfke ve düşmanlık kültürünü beslemektedir. Hareketin çevrimiçi mecralardaki varlığı ve bu platformlar üzerindeki şiddet eğilimli söylemleri, cinsiyet ilişkilerinde derin bir gerilimi yansıtmaktadır. İncel topluluğunun sosyal medya ve forumlar üzerindeki temsil biçimi, radikalleşme süreçlerini hızlandırmakta ve bu topluluğun toplum üzerindeki yıkıcı etkisini artırmaktadır.

Keywords

• incel,
• toksik maskülenite
• şiddet
• dijitalleşme

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