What is misogyny?
Misogyny refers to hatred of, or prejudice towards women and things associated with women and femininity. It is more than just disliking women – it refers to a deeper prejudice, contempt or ingrained belief that women are inferior. It can be obvious, like verbal abuse, or subtle, such as making sexist jokes or holding girls to different standards than boys. It happens both online and in real life.
Some ways misogyny might show up include:
- Jokes that mock or belittle women
- Dismissing women’s opinions or emotions
- The idea that men should be dominant in relationships
- Online abuse or trolling targeted at girls or women
- Media that sexualises or objectifies women
Even though misogyny can seem subtle, it shapes how young people see themselves and each other, leading to wider issues like unhealthy relationships, mental health problems and even gender-based violence.
How is misogyny affecting young people today?
Apps like TikTok, YouTube and Instagram can promote misogynistic influencers and ideas through their algorithms. Social media platforms often promote misogynistic content to young people, even without them actively seeking it out. The more that young people engage with this content, the more they are likely to see. This often means that these influencers will intentionally post controversial content so that people share it even if they disagree with it, which increases their reach.
Influencers may use charisma, humour or wealth to mask dangerous ideas. These people often:
- Push rigid ideas of masculinity and dominance
- Blame women for men’s problems
- Prey on young people’s vulnerabilities to increase reach and followers for profit
Young people, particularly boys, are increasingly drawn to misogynistic influencers who offer simplistic answers to complex issues like identity, belonging and masculinity. Their content often begins with seemingly positive messages about confidence and resilience but gradually introduces harmful stereotypes and misogynistic ideas. This approach exploits the insecurities of young people, providing them with a distorted sense of purpose and belonging. These harmful ideas are not just staying online, but spreading between peer groups, in schools and in wider society. Almost a quarter of school staff have witnessed pupils discussing sexist online content, with over half of these noticing changes in behaviour linked to this content [1] – and it’s not just affecting older students. One study found that as well as 76% of secondary school staff, 60% of primary school staff reported that they were concerned about the influence of online misogyny in their schools [2].
Impacts of misogyny
Misogyny and sexism are not just abstract concepts, they have real and lasting impacts for young people of all genders. For young women, girls and those marginalised for their gender, these attitudes can contribute to feelings of being made unsafe, undervalued and disrespected. But misogyny harms boys too, by reinforcing rigid gender expectations that discourage them from expressing their emotions and asking for support when they need it.
Mental Health
- Research shows experiencing sexism makes girls five times more likely to have serious mental health problems like depression. [3]
- For boys, the pressure to appear ‘tough’ and suppress their emotions can be just as damaging, meaning that boys and men often don’t ask for help when they need it. In the UK, men are 3 times more likely to die by suicide than women, making it the leading cause of death in men under 50. [4]
Self Esteem and Identity
- Young people who face judgement or face strict expectations based on their gender may experience low self esteem and feel unable to be their authentic selves. Rigid gender stereotypes can lead to young people feeling pressured to act in certain ways to ‘fit in’, even if it doesn’t reflect who they truly are. This can have a big impact on their sense of identity and confidence.
Limited Opportunities
- Early exposure to misogyny and gender stereotypes can limit a young person’s view of what’s possible for them.
- Many girls feel discouraged from pursuing careers in fields like science, technology, engineering and maths (STEM). Women currently only make up 26% of the STEM workforce in the UK, showing how early stereotypes can last into adulthood.
- Boys may avoid careers in caring professions like nursing or early years education, due to stereotypes of these jobs being seen as ‘feminine’.
- Women are 50% more likely to be low paid than men [5], with stereotypically ‘female’ jobs being lower paid and women facing barriers to reaching top positions.
Violence and Harassment
- A culture of misogyny can escalate into more serious harm, including harassment and gender-based violence.
- In the UK, around 1 in 4 women will experience domestic abuse, and 1 in 5 will experience sexual assault during their lifetime. [6]
Body Image
- The media often promotes unrealistic and sexist beauty standards, which can have a significant impact on how young people, especially girls, view their bodies and self worth. This pressure to look a certain ‘perfect’ way can contribute to an increased risk of eating disorders and other mental health challenges.
Different experiences of misogyny
Misogyny doesn’t affect everyone in the same way. Things like race, disability, sexuality, religion, class and trans identity can all change how people experience sexism. This is called intersectionality, meaning that different parts of your identity can combine to create unique challenges.
For example:
- A Black girl might face both racism and sexism, like being unfairly seen as ‘loud’ or ‘angry’ compared to white girls, even when speaking in the same way.
- A Disabled woman might be seen as less capable because of both her gender and disability, making it harder to get jobs and be taken seriously.
- A lesbian woman might face sexism and homophobia, like being told she just ‘hasn’t met the right man yet’.
- A Muslim woman who wears a hijab might face sexism and Islamophobia, such as people assuming she’s oppressed or judging her clothing choices.
- A transgender girl might experience sexism and transphobia, like being excluded from girls’ spaces or being expected to be extra feminine to ‘make up’ for being trans.
- A non-binary person may experience sexism and transphobia, like being incorrectly seen and treated as a woman, whilst also being excluded from women’s spaces.
It’s important to remember that everyone’s experience with sexism and misogyny is different because of the many aspects of our identities. By understanding intersectionality, we can be more supportive of others and stand up for everyone’s right to be treated fairly, no matter who they are.
Why are young people drawn to misogyny?
Young people may be drawn to misogynistic content through a combination of ‘push’ and ‘pull’ factors. Push factors are those that drive them away from positive, healthy ideas about equality – such as experiences of bullying, social exclusion, problems at home, or frustration in relationships. In these vulnerable situations, misogynistic narratives can appear to offer explanations or someone to blame, often targeting women as the cause of their problems.
Pull factors are the tactics that these influencers and communities use to attract young people. They often present a mix of belonging, certainty, control and success. By offering seemingly simple answers (‘it’s all women’s fault’) and the promise of status, success and power, they create a compelling – although extremely harmful – ideology.
When these push and pull factors are combined, young people may feel that misogynistic influencers ‘understand’ them or offer support. But in reality, these groups exploit young people’s vulnerabilities for their own gain, spreading harmful ideas whilst presenting themselves as mentors or role models.
Different experiences of misogyny
Misogyny doesn’t affect everyone in the same way. Things like race, disability, sexuality, religion, class and trans identity can all change how people experience sexism. This is called intersectionality, meaning that different parts of your identity can combine to create unique challenges.
For example:
- A Black girl might face both racism and sexism, like being unfairly seen as ‘loud’ or ‘angry’ compared to white girls, even when speaking in the same way.
- A Disabled woman might be seen as less capable because of both her gender and disability, making it harder to get jobs and be taken seriously.
- A lesbian woman might face sexism and homophobia, like being told she just ‘hasn’t met the right man yet’.
- A Muslim woman who wears a hijab might face sexism and Islamophobia, such as people assuming she’s oppressed or judging her clothing choices.
- A transgender girl might experience sexism and transphobia, like being excluded from girls’ spaces or being expected to be extra feminine to ‘make up’ for being trans.
- A non-binary person may experience sexism and transphobia, like being incorrectly seen and treated as a woman, whilst also being excluded from women’s spaces.
It’s important to remember that everyone’s experience with sexism and misogyny is different because of the many aspects of our identities. By understanding intersectionality, we can be more supportive of others and stand up for everyone’s right to be treated fairly, no matter who they are.
Why are young people drawn to misogyny?
Young people may be drawn to misogynistic content through a combination of ‘push’ and ‘pull’ factors. Push factors are those that drive them away from positive, healthy ideas about equality – such as experiences of bullying, social exclusion, problems at home, or frustration in relationships. In these vulnerable situations, misogynistic narratives can appear to offer explanations or someone to blame, often targeting women as the cause of their problems.
Pull factors are the tactics that these influencers and communities use to attract young people. They often present a mix of belonging, certainty, control and success. By offering seemingly simple answers (‘it’s all women’s fault’) and the promise of status, success and power, they create a compelling – although extremely harmful – ideology.
When these push and pull factors are combined, young people may feel that misogynistic influencers ‘understand’ them or offer support. But in reality, these groups exploit young people’s vulnerabilities for their own gain, spreading harmful ideas whilst presenting themselves as mentors or role models.
Watch My Friend, Max Hate (White Ribbon) – push and pull factors in action
This short film powerfully illustrates how young people can be drawn into misogynistic thinking through a mix of emotional vulnerability and targeted online influence. The story shows how feelings of rejection, frustration and loneliness can act as push factors – making someone more susceptible to harmful ideas. At the same time, the online influencer offers pull factors: a sense of belonging, simple answers, and the illusion of control. The video highlights how quickly this can escalate into real world violence, and how toxic ideologies often hide behind messages about self-improvement or support. This highlights why early, open conversations with young people are so important.
How to speak to young people about misogyny
Talking about misogyny with young people doesn’t have to be confrontational or awkward. The most powerful conversations often happen in everyday moments – over dinner, during a car ride, or on a walk. The key is to create space where young people feel safe, heard and not judged.
For professionals
Create safe spaces
Create safe spaces
Start with a group agreement or safer spaces agreement that respects everyone’s voice and allows for difficult conversations in a judgement-free zone. By setting this up at the beginning of any lesson or conversation, it makes sure that everyone is on the same page when it comes to what to expect, what is ok and what isn’t ok. Involving young people in the creation of this agreement can help them to feel a part of it and more likely to follow it, instead of another set of rules set by someone else. It can be a good idea to start with a basic template covering the core points, ask them their thoughts on it and if there’s anything they’d like to add. You can download an example Group Agreement from the Activities and Resources tab below.
Use real-world examples thoughtfully
Videos and scenarios can be powerful teaching tools. Encouraging young people to reflect on a character’s emotions, actions and circumstances can help them to build skills around critical thinking, empathy and bystander intervention. By offering examples that are somewhat distanced from themselves but still relatable, it can allow them to develop these real-world skills in a safe environment.
Focus on emotional literacy and empathy
Equip students with the vocabulary to talk about how they’re feeling and how others might be impacted by harmful beliefs. Boys in particular have likely heard messages throughout their lives that perpetuate harmful stereotypes that discourage them from sharing or connecting with their emotions. Check out our Activities and Resources tab below for activity ideas to encourage these skills, including the ‘Behind the Mask’ activity.
Supporting parents and carers to have conversations
Create judgement free spaces
For Set up regular opportunities for open chats, where the young person knows that they won’t be criticised or punished for what they say. If they mention worrying views or content they’ve seen online, try asking questions instead of reacting with shock or anger. This will allow them to feel safer to open up in the future instead of keeping things to themselves where it could escalate into more harmful views and behaviour.S
Use everyday routines to connect
Eating together, walking the dog, or driving to school can all be natural spaces for conversation. You don’t need to force a ‘big talk’ that can lead to defensiveness on both sides. Gentle check-ins asking about their thoughts on things they’ve seen online, about their friendships, or even just making sure to have meaningful conversations about their day can go a long way.
Encourage screen-free time
Rather than setting strict screen-time limits that can feel like a punishment, try creating positive opportunities for screen-free time that feel natural and enjoyable. That might be going for a walk after dinner, having a family board game night, encouraging them to go out with their friends, or working on a hobby. The goal isn’t to ban the internet – as it can be a great tool when used in the right ways – but to build in moments where real-world connection and reflection are possible. Framing these activities as quality time rather than rules helps young people to experience the benefits of being offline without resentment. When they feel genuinely connected and supported offline, they are less likely to rely on harmful online spaces for belonging and meaning.
Limit harmful content, not conversation
It can be tempting to restrict screen time altogether, but it’s more effective to help young people to build media literacy and critical thinking skills. Watch or discuss the content that they are seeing, staying curious and non-judgemental. Ask questions like: ‘What do you think they mean?’, ‘Why do you think they are sharing these messages?’ or ‘Who do you think they are trying to appeal to?’ to help them to spot harmful messages and recognise ulterior motives.
Use tools to reflect on wellbeing
Helping young people to reflect on different areas of their wellbeing – such as friendships, school, home life and hobbies – can reveal where they may be struggling and more vulnerable to harmful ideologies. By recognising these vulnerabilities, you can help them to build tools to mitigate the ‘push’ factors that could be leading them towards misogynistic content. You can download a Wellbeing Wheel from the Activities and Resources tab below.
Work in collaboration with families
Send home conversation guides or resources (including this website!). Let parents know what’s being covered in school and encourage them to continue the conversation at home. Set up parents and carers sessions where they can learn, reflect and ask questions to help support young people.
Listen and validate experiences of misogyny
If a young person discloses that they have experienced misogyny to you, make sure that you take their feelings seriously and acknowledge that what they’ve experienced is real. Avoid dismissing or downplaying their concerns, even if the situation seems small to you, as these small incidents can build up over time. It’s worth seeing if your school or organisation has a policy on dealing with these situations – familiarise yourself with it if they do, or encourage them to create one if it doesn’t already exist.
Activities and resources
Visit the ‘misogyny’ information page for young people
Watch ‘The Mask You Live In’ – Teacher Clip (Branch Speaks)
Watch ‘The Million Mask Movement’
References
- https://www.unison.org.uk/content/uploads/2024/06/Sexisminschoolssurveyreport1.pdf
- https://www.bps.org.uk/research-digest/teachers-triage-schoolyard-effects-online-misogyny
- https://www.youngwomenstrust.org/media-centre/sexism-linked-to-higher-rates-of-depression-in-young-women/
- https://www.england.nhs.uk/blog/tackling-the-root-causes-of-suicide/
- https://www.livingwage.org.uk/news/nearly-3-million-women-paid-below-real-living-wage-gender-pay-gap-widens
- https://homeofficemedia.blog.gov.uk/2019/03/07/violence-against-women-and-girls-and-male-position-factsheets/
