WEC to examine Incel culture and ideology with academics
The Women and Equalities Committee (WEC) will hear from three academics during an evidence session examining Incel culture and ideology.
Meeting details
MPs on the cross-party Committee will explore the experiences and beliefs of incels and examine the high rates of poor mental health and neurodiversity identified in this group.
The term “incel” (an abbreviation of involuntarily celibate) has been appropriated by men who blame women and societal structures for their lack of romantic success. It is a largely online community where incels communicate across various platforms in what is referred to as the “manosphere”.
The session will also assess the finding that when it comes to predicting harm, mental health and adoption of incel ideology are significantly more likely to predict the development of harmful views than social networking. In February 2024, the Commission for Countering Extremism (CCE) published a report entitled: ‘Predicting Harm Among Incels (Involuntary Celibates): The Roles of Mental Health, Ideological Belief and Social Networking’. The Committee will hear from the research team who produced the report.