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1. Misogyny: The Unseen Driver of Violent Extremism

Almost none of these analyses have attended to the gendered dimensions of violent extremism.

A glaring blind spot. Despite extensive media coverage and scholarly analysis of mass violence, the foundational role of misogyny and gender-based bigotry is consistently overlooked. This oversight creates a dangerous "blind spot" in understanding the root causes and warning signs of extremism. For instance, the FBI's list of pre-attack behaviors for mass shootings lacks any mention of gender, even when targets of violence are often women or intimate partners.

Everyday acts, extreme outcomes. The book argues that ubiquitous, everyday misogyny, from street harassment to online vitriol, is inextricably linked to mass violence. Perpetrators of mass shootings often have histories of hating women, assaulting female family members, or sharing misogynistic views online. This pattern holds true across various attacks, yet gendered violence is rarely classified as ideological or as a hate crime.

Systemic neglect. The U.S. government's threat assessment system categorizes gender or sexual orientation as "other" threats, unlike animal rights extremism, which receives its own category. This systemic marginalization of gendered violence prevents a comprehensive understanding of the problem, hindering effective prevention and intervention strategies.

2. Patriarchy's Defense: Backlash Against Gendered Change

The rise of misogynist violence has been paralleled by a growing, trenchant defense of patriarchy and “traditional” family values in the face of significant and specifically gendered social change.

Patriarchy under threat. The book posits that the surge in violent extremism and misogyny is a "retrenched defense of traditional patriarchy." Rapid social changes, such as increased women's political leadership, LGBTQ+ rights, and the disruption of rigid gender binaries, are perceived by far-right actors as existential threats to a "natural order." This perceived threat fuels a backlash aimed at reasserting male dominance.

Masculinity in crisis. Economic shifts and changing social roles have led to a "masculinity crisis," where men feel a loss of status and purpose. This vulnerability is exploited by extremist narratives that blame feminism and women's gains for men's struggles, channeling feelings of shame and humiliation into anger and violence. The appeal of figures like Donald Trump, with his "rugged masculinity," is seen as a desire to restore a perceived glorious past where "real men" were in charge.

Christian nationalism's role. Christian nationalism, a rapidly growing ideology, explicitly calls for a white, Christian nation led by men, with women in submissive, traditional roles. This worldview frames gendered social changes as "forces of evil" that must be fought with "militant, rugged masculinity," providing a powerful ideological justification for misogynistic backlash and violence.

3. The Interconnected Web of Hate: Misogyny as Connective Tissue

Antifeminism, anti-LGBTQ+ hate, and other forms of gender-based harm fuel and underpin antisemitism, Islamophobia, anti-immigrant conspiracies, and anti-Black racism.

Misogyny as a gateway. Misogyny and gender-based bigotry do not exist in isolation; they act as a "connective tissue" that amplifies and reinforces other forms of hate. Online, discussions often start with misogynistic content and quickly lead to antisemitic, racist, or conspiratorial ideas. This cross-pollination of hate makes it challenging to address one form of extremism without acknowledging its intersectional nature.

Racialized gender. The defense of white patriarchy is deeply intertwined with racism. White supremacist narratives often obsess over white birth rates and the "Great Replacement" conspiracy, blaming Jewish or Muslim elites and feminists for demographic changes. This framework positions white women's bodies as essential for national reproduction, while simultaneously demonizing non-white populations as threats.

Multiple scapegoats. Conspiracies frequently link various "enemies" under a single umbrella. For example, "Cultural Marxism" is blamed for progressive policies, including gender-neutral bathrooms and pronoun usage, alongside broader attacks on Western civilization. This multi-faceted scapegoating demonstrates how misogyny serves as a "firestarter" for a wide range of exclusionary and violent ideologies.

4. Containment: Policing Women and LGBTQ+ Through Slurs and Appearance

The goal of these misogynistic attacks is to police the rules of women’s engagement in public space—to limit that engagement to pleasure (pornography), service (domestic help), or support (“eye candy” on the arm of a powerful man), and to punish women for resisting those roles.

"Stay in your place." Misogynistic tactics, such as slurs and threats, aim to "contain" women and LGBTQ+ individuals by policing their behavior and presence in public spaces. Phrases like "Lock Her Up" or "Send Them Back" are literal calls for removal and punishment for violating patriarchal norms. The backlash against Taylor Swift's visibility at NFL games, including AI-generated deepfakes, exemplifies this desire to control powerful women.

The misogynist's toolbox. Gendered slurs like "bitch" or "cunt" are not merely insults; they are enforcement mechanisms designed to discredit, dehumanize, and silence. These terms attack women's intelligence, autonomy, and appearance, while slurs against men ("sissy," "pussy") police perceived deviations from "real" masculinity.

• Women's slurs: "bimbo," "crazy," "slut," "cunt," "heifer," "foids" (female humanoids).
• Men's slurs: "pussy," "sissy," "fag," "cuck," "simp."

Gateways to radicalization. Everyday online spaces, including gaming chats, memes, and self-help forums, act as "misogyny incubators." They normalize hateful content, desensitize young men, and introduce them to toxic masculinity and anti-feminist ideas. Influencers like Andrew Tate, despite facing charges for organized crime and human trafficking, amass millions of followers by blending self-improvement with misogynistic rhetoric, blaming feminism for men's problems and promoting a "red-pilled" worldview.

5. Punishment: Male Supremacy's Violent Entitlement

Violent attacks against women in cases like these—as well as in domestic and intimate partner violence and misogynist incel attacks—are not only or even primarily about sex. Rather, they are rooted in what Kate Manne describes as “some men’s toxic sense of entitlement to have people look up to them steadfastly, with a loving gaze, admiringly—and to target and even destroy those who fail, or refuse, to do so.”

Entitlement as ideology. Male supremacism is an ideology rooted in the belief that men are biologically superior and therefore entitled to dominate women and LGBTQ+ people. This entitlement fuels anger at perceived losses of power and status, leading to a desire to control and punish those who defy patriarchal expectations. This is evident in the Tallahassee yoga studio shooting, where the perpetrator had a decades-long history of harassing and assaulting women.

Feminism as the ultimate enemy. Male supremacist groups, collectively known as the "manosphere," blame feminism for "sissifying" men and creating a "war against men." They propagate conspiracy theories that women are manipulative, that rape accusations are false, and that "Cultural Marxism" is undermining traditional values. This anti-feminist rage serves as a powerful recruitment narrative and mobilizer for violence, as seen in attacks like the Montreal massacre.

The incel rebellion. Misogynist incels (involuntary celibates) are a prominent faction of the manosphere, driven by rage at their inability to obtain sex and a belief in "lookism" and a "sexual marketplace." They dehumanize women with terms like "femoids" and "roasties," and their online forums are rife with discussions supporting rape and violence. This community has inspired numerous mass attacks, with perpetrators often celebrated as "saints."

Reproductive control. The overturning of Roe v. Wade and the broader anti-abortion movement are seen as serving white supremacist goals of controlling women's reproductive capacity. Groups like "Rapekrieg" advocate for mass rape of white women to increase white birth rates and counter "white genocide." This demonstrates how the desire for control over women's bodies is a core tenet of male supremacist and white supremacist ideologies.

6. Exploitation: Strategic Use of Gender-Based Violence and Trafficking

Terrorist and extremist groups and movements rely on and systematically enact sexual and gender-based violence—or promote disinformation about it—for strategic and operational aims.

Exploitation as a tactic. Sexual and gender-based violence is not merely a byproduct of extremism; it is a deliberate, strategic, and operational tactic used by terrorist and extremist groups. This includes:

• Disinformation: False claims about child trafficking (e.g., PizzaGate, QAnon) mobilize mainstream individuals to violence, diverting resources from real victims.
• Domestic violence: Histories of intimate partner violence are significant red flags for future mass violence, acting as a "boot camp for terrorism" by normalizing violence and asserting dominance.
• Sex trafficking: White supremacist gangs are involved in drug and sex trafficking, exploiting women for financial gain and strategic purposes, though these crimes are often underreported by law enforcement.
• Child exploitation: Neo-Nazi groups like O9A and the "764" network engage in child sexual abuse material (CSAM) production and sextortion, viewing it as a "necessary prerequisite" for terrorism and a means of radicalization.

Ideological control. White supremacist ideology relies on controlling women's reproductive capacity to ensure the "purity" and survival of the white nation. Propaganda promotes women's roles as mothers and homemakers, while "race traitors" (white women in interracial relationships) are threatened with extreme violence, including public execution. This demonstrates how exploitation serves both financial and ideological goals within extremist movements.

Tech-enabled harms. New technologies like AI and VR are escalating gender-based exploitation. AI-generated deepfake nudes and "undressing" apps are used for harassment and CSAM, while VR platforms have seen instances of virtual sexual assault. These innovations create new avenues for harm, requiring urgent attention and evolving prevention strategies.

7. Erasure: Legislative and Cultural Attacks on LGBTQ+ and Women's Rights

The past was erased, the erasure was forgotten, the lie became the truth.

Systematic silencing. Erasure, a tactic of misogynistic containment, aims to remove or eradicate those who violate patriarchal norms. This includes legislative bans, cultural silencing, and the physical removal of LGBTQ+ individuals and women from public spaces. Florida's "Don't Say Gay" bill, prohibiting discussions of sexual orientation or gender identity in schools, is a prime example of this legislative erasure.

Controlling bodies and knowledge. The far right's fight against "gender ideology" targets personal choices about bodies, including abortion, contraception, and gender-affirming care. Anti-trans activists spread disinformation, demonizing trans women as predators and falsely claiming gender-affirming care harms children. This legislative assault is mirrored by attacks on knowledge itself:

• Book bans: Thousands of books, especially those with LGBTQ+ or racial themes, have been banned from schools and libraries.
• Curricular attacks: Efforts to remove sociology courses and attack gender studies departments in universities are part of a broader campaign against "woke" education.

Mobilizing violence. This legislative and cultural erasure normalizes and legitimizes violence against LGBTQ+ communities and their allies. Anti-LGBTQ+ propaganda, often intertwined with antisemitic and racist tropes, fuels record-breaking hate crimes, harassment, and murders. Extremist groups like Patriot Front and Proud Boys actively disrupt Pride events and drag story hours, emboldened by mainstream rhetoric that frames LGBTQ+ people as "groomers" and threats to children.

8. Enabling: Women's Role in Perpetuating Far-Right Extremism

When women get involved, a movement becomes a serious threat.

From passive to active. Historically, white women in far-right movements often played "backstage" roles, supporting men through domestic tasks and childrearing. However, the book highlights a shift, exemplified by Ashli Babbitt (a veteran killed during the Jan 6 insurrection), where women have become "frontstage" leaders, active recruiters, and violent participants. This evolution is driven by a narrative that reframes political activism as an act of "good motherhood" and national defense.

Mama Grizzlies and femonationalism. Sarah Palin's "Mama Grizzlies" movement mobilized conservative women by linking motherhood to anti-government policies, asserting women's autonomy from state dependence. This paved the way for "femonationalism," where women leaders blend feminist arguments with far-right stances on immigration and national defense, portraying immigrants and Muslims as threats to "Western values" and women's rights.

Online radicalization. Social media has amplified women's roles in spreading far-right propaganda. "Tradwife" influencers, for example, promote traditional gender roles and white ethnonationalism through curated online content, blending relatable lifestyle tips with anti-feminist and anti-multiculturalist rhetoric. This "softer face" for extreme ideas broadens the reach of fringe ideologies to mainstream audiences.

QAnon moms. The QAnon conspiracy, with its false claims about child trafficking, uniquely mobilized millions of women, including "QAnon moms," who believed they were rescuing children from Satan-worshipping elites. This narrative converted the protective motherhood frame into a call for national defense, priming women to participate in events like the January 6 insurrection.

9. Breaking the Cycle: Cultivating Healthy Masculinity and Digital Literacy

Instead of insisting that “real men must prove their manhood by idealizing aloneness and disconnection,” we need to reshape manhood around connection and connectedness.

Beyond shaming. To counter rising misogyny and prevent violent extremism, adults must engage with boys and young men in non-judgmental ways. Shaming or ridiculing youth for adopting harmful online views can drive them further into extremist communities. Instead, fostering curiosity and open dialogue about online content, values, and relationships is crucial.

Redefining masculinity. Effective prevention requires challenging rigid, stereotypical ideas about masculinity that link manhood to toughness, dominance, and violence. Boys need positive role models who embrace empathy, caregiving, and intimate connections, rather than stoicism and aggression. Programs like "Coaching Boys into Men" offer tangible strategies for promoting healthy masculinity and respectful treatment of women.

Digital resilience. Lifelong digital and media literacy are essential to equip young people with the skills to recognize and reject harmful online content. "Pre-bunking" approaches, which teach critical thinking and skepticism towards propaganda and conspiracy theories, are particularly promising. This includes educating youth about the impact of violent pornography on understandings of consent and healthy sexual relationships.

Community-wide effort. Parents, teachers, coaches, and community leaders must collaborate to create supportive environments that foster belonging and purpose, countering the isolation and loneliness prevalent among young men. This holistic approach, integrating mental health support, civic education, and inclusive relationship curricula, is vital for building resilience against extremist manipulation.

10. Policy Imperatives: Centering Victims and Integrating Gender in Counter-Extremism

Centering gender would require us to acknowledge that gendered issues are both a foundational part of radicalization and a primary catalyst in mobilizing to violence.

Victim-centered approach. Policymakers must prioritize the needs of victims and survivors of gender-based violence, especially marginalized groups like Black, Latina, Native American, and Asian American women. This includes providing healing spaces, economic support, and involving survivors in prevention and justice conversations, ensuring they are not marginalized in the aftermath of violence.

Revising threat assessments. National and international threat assessment protocols must explicitly include prior acts of gender and sexual violence as a risk factor for radicalization. Countries like the UK, New Zealand, and Canada are already recognizing extreme misogyny as a form of extremism, demonstrating a path forward for the US to integrate gender into its counter-terrorism frameworks.

Comprehensive training and enforcement. All government agencies involved in targeted violence and terrorism prevention, as well as those addressing intimate partner violence and sex trafficking, need mandatory gender-based violence training. This includes:

• Law enforcement: Training on the link between online misogyny and violent extremism, and technology-related harms like AI-generated sexual violence.
• Legal system: Enhancements for sex trafficking offenses to incentivize prosecution alongside other crimes, while carefully avoiding disproportionate application against Black men.
• International bodies: UN and other global organizations should leverage existing mandates to intervene more significantly in gender-based violence within extremist movements.

Tech accountability. Social media and technology companies must prioritize combating misogyny and gender-based bigotry. This means explicitly naming misogyny as a form of hatred, regularly updating content moderation policies to address new forms of derogatory language and incitement to violence, and providing clear, accessible reporting mechanisms for users.

Last updated: March 25, 2026