MGTOW & Feminism – Joined By Hate
 
In this episode we explore two ideologies that have been making quite a ruckus in the social media battlefield in recent years. MGTOW (Men Going Their Own Way) and Third-Wave Feminism are rather extreme worldviews. Their adherents form tightly knit online tribes. The glue that holds these tribes together is a shared hatred for the opposite sex. On the face of it, the MGTOW tribe and the Third-Wave Feminism tribe are mortal enemies. But on closer inspection, are they actually much more similar than they would like to admit? Are they, in fact, two sides of the same coin?
 
The MGTOW Lens
 
Men who adhere to the MGTOW ideology believe that the system is rigged. And that it benefits women to the (often dire) detriment of men. They believe that relationships with women fail a cost benefit analysis and that the risks (such as unfair divorce settlements, and false rape accusations) are not worth it.
 
So they believe in going their own way, ploughing their own furrow, choking their own chicken. They believe that living their lives free from women is their best option.
 
MGTOW men believe the system is corrupt and rigged. And that this flawed system encourages women to act badly. It brings out the worst aspects of female nature and for this reason, puts men at great risk.
 
The Third-Wave Feminism Lens
 
The term ‘third-wave’ is attributed to American author and man-despising rage-aholic Rebecca Walker. Rebecca’s writing and lectures are all about identity – gender, race, politics, culture. She is a rabid identitarian. (She has a lot more in common with Alt-Right leader Richard Spencer than she would ever like to admit!)
 
Third-Wave feminists believe that women labour under many layers of oppression, based on their gender, race, class. They believe that the patriarchy is alive and well. That white males live lives of glorious ease and unfair advantage. And that this patriarchal system led by white male (such as Barack Obama) is enabling the success of white males at the expense of everybody else, especially women.
 
Third-Wave Feminists believe in fighting this system by withdrawing their love and cooperation from evil men. And even by engaging in acts of civil disobedience and violence.
 
The Trouble With Both
 
Neither ideology has many adherents in reality. They both bark loudly on the internet. But their barks are much worse than their bites. Only a small minority of humans buy into either worldview. Most men and women are eager to enjoy and support the opposite sex. Luckily, cooperation and solidarity between the sexes is still the norm.
 
Both MGTOW and Third-Wave Feminism are extremist identities built on a foundation of hatred for the other. The see a simplifying picture of the world in which their gender is their main defining feature. The ignore the intricacies, eccentricities and nuances of individual humans. And see a simplified, black and white picture of reality.