British authorities see the growing problem of extremism in the UK and want to review their policy. According to the plans of the British Home Office, extreme misogyny will be treated as one of the forms of extremism.
Yvette Cooper, the head of the UK Home Office, has announced a review of the strategy to combat extremism. She says there has been a noticeable increase in it, both online and on the streets, which strikes “at the very heart of our communities and our democracy”. According to the authorities, one of the trends gaining popularity is misogyny, or hatred, contempt and prejudice against women or girls. Now its extreme manifestations are to be recognised as a form of extremism.
Misogyny amidst extremist trends
The government wants to monitor extremist trends, analyse the causes and course of radicalisation of young people and develop ways to wean them away from extremism. As announced by Minister Yvette Cooper, the government commission will “identify any gaps in existing policy, (…) to curb the activities of those spreading harmful and hateful beliefs and violence”. As the BBC writes, the announced review will analyse the rise of Islamist and far-right extremism in the UK, as well as wider ideological trends, including extreme misogyny.
As the BBC reminds us on this occasion, the so-called incel culture has been causing concern for several years. The name comes from a combination of two English words “involuntary celibate” and describes men, mainly young men, living in “involuntary celibacy”, i.e. without relationships with women. As the BBC adds, they often have failures and frustrations related to relationships behind them. This is what they share on forums with similar men. They blame women for their problems, and some of the posts are characterized by anger or even hatred.
A review of the UK's extremism policy is expected to be completed by October this year.
Main image source: ADAM VAUGHAN/EPA/PAP