“Misogyny is Self Defense”: A Critical Analysis of Incel Discourse and Belief on Incels.is

This research aims to understand who Incels are as a community and how they radicalize and incite gender-based violence. I engage in a thematic and critical discourse analysis of discussion posts from popular Incels website Incels.is to uncover the ways in which the discourses employed by Incels are shaped by, and are reflective of patriarchy, heteronormativity and white supremacy. I consider how Incels externalize the cause of their involuntary celibacy and use women as scapegoats for their lack of romantic and sexual success and use biologically determinist discourses to justify their anger that they are unable to perform a masculinity characterized by sexual conquest. This research provides insight into how Incels are not a mere fringe abnormality, rather their misogyny is a logical but extreme extension of patriarchal, heteronormative and white supremacist power relations.

Name thesis:degree_name

Master of Arts (M.A.)

Level thesis:degree_level

Master's

Discipline thesis:degree_discipline

Sociology

Grantor dc:publisher

Carleton University

Year dc:date.issued

2023

Author dc:creator

• Leger, Emma Catherine

Statement dc:rights

• Copyright © 2023 the author(s). Theses may be used for non-commercial research, educational, or related academic purposes only. Such uses include personal study, distribution to students, research and scholarship. Theses may only be shared by linking to the Carleton University Institutional Repository and no part may be copied without proper attribution to the author; no part may be used for commercial purposes directly or indirectly via a for-profit platform; no adaptation or derivative works are permitted without consent from the copyright owner.

Language dc:language.iso

en

DOI

10.22215/etd/2023-15491

OAI identifier oai:identifier

oai:carleton.scholaris.ca:20.500.14718/42890