The term incel is short for involuntary celibacy. Incel communities typically refer to online forums where heterosexual young men discuss their lack of sexual or romantic relationships with women. Discussions often center around social isolation, loneliness, physical appearance, and men’s status on the sexual marketplace and in society in general.
The term incel has proved ambiguous and difficult to pin down, and even within the incel community there is no agreement about who exactly can be defined as an incel. The word is at times used as an insult. The term can evoke a wide range of reactions, so it is crucial to define the term before engaging in discussions about it.
The incel phenomenon in the public sphere
Due to the taboo attached to it and its gendered nature, the incel phenomenon often evokes strong emotions. Public discourse on the matter is often polarized and skewed one way or another. The focus is often on the more radical aspects of the phenomenon, such as the misogyny and the glorification and promotion of violence that sometimes occur within incel communities. However, violent acts and the glorification of violence are often condemned within the communities (Lounela & Murphy, 2024, 353). When approaching the topic, it is therefore good to consider that there is great variety both in the kinds of discussions that take place in online discussions as well as in the backgrounds and experiences of the young men participating in them. Moreover, it is often challenging to assess the tone of the discussions and know when they might pose a potential real-life threat (Moskalenko, González, Kates & Morton, 2022, 5).
When considering the threats related to the incel phenomenon, it is worth noting that according to a study conducted in the United States (Moskalenko et al., 2022, 1–2) incel ideology correlates weakly with radicalization. Only a small minority of users tend to be the most active and vocal on incel forums (Baele, Brace & Coan, 2021, 1670–1671), and some users actively reject radical attitudes and intentions (Moskalenko et al., 2022, 19–20). Many members of the incel communities have also experienced bullying and mental health problems, such as anxiety and depression. There is a need for targeted forms of support for incel men. (Moskalenko et al., 2022, 9–12, 20.) It is important not to ignore the individual challenges that affect their wellbeing.
Support for incel men
There have been no projects or forms of support targeted specifically for incel men in Finland. Ulkokehän Miehet aims to fill this gap and gain a deeper understanding of the phenomenon.
The project offers support for men who experience loneliness and feel disenfranchised from society. The aim is to help participants examine their specific circumstances and the various aspects of their lives that affect their wellbeing and discover alternatives to their current ways of life. Peer support helps the participants to improve their ability to function in their day-to-day lives and face their challenges. The focus is in understanding their individual and diverse backgrounds and experiences. It is important that their experiences are not invalidated. Rather, the focus is on understanding how they view their lives and the challenges they face. The participants are also encouraged to contemplate their level of motivation, plans for the future, and willingness to change.
Not many studies have been conducted about the incel phenomenon in the Finnish context. Therefore, the project is interested in studying the phenomenon more deeply. The project aims to highlight the complexity of the phenomenon and facilitate constructive discussion instead of needless polarization about it. We want to understand the individual experiences of men more fully and hope that the project provides a space for them to talk about their experiences openly and directly. You can participate anonymously.
Who can participate?
You may find the service useful, if:
- you are experiencing feelings of social isolation, exclusion or loneliness,
- you worry about your ability to function in your daily life,
- you are concerned about the amount of time you spend online,
- you are harboring feelings of resentment or frustration toward society,
- you lack social connections or an intimate relationship,
- you sense that you are somehow stuck in life and you are willing to think about your future,
- you wish to reorient your daily life and find more meaning in it.
Sources
Baele, S. J., Brace, L. & Coan, G. T. (2021). From “Incel” to “saint”: Analyzing the violent worldview behind the 2018 Toronto attack. Terrorism and political violence 33 (8), 1667–1691. doi.org/10.1080/09546553.2019.1638256.
Lounela, E. & Murphy, S. (2024). Incel violence and victimhood: Negotiating inceldom in online discussion of the Plymouth shooting. Terrorism and political violence 36 (3), 344–365. doi.org/10.1080/09546553.2022.2157267.
Moskalenko, S., González, J. F-G., Kates, N. & Morton, J. (2022). Incel ideology, radicalization and mental health: A survey study. The Journal of Intelligence Conflict and Warfare 4 (3), 1–29. Doi.org/10.21810/jicw.v4i3.3817.
