Summary of "Masculinity: From Durkheim to Andrew Tate" – A Point of View, BBC Radio 4

Introduction

In the January 20, 2023 episode of A Point of View, hosted by BBC Radio 4 and authored by Zoe Strimpel, the discussion delves into the evolving concept of masculinity. Strimpel examines the trajectory from historical perspectives to contemporary manifestations, focusing particularly on figures like Andrew Tate and movements within the modern manosphere. The essay provides a comprehensive analysis of the factors contributing to the current crisis of masculinity, drawing parallels with historical theories and highlighting the societal implications of these changes.

The Pickup Artist Movement

Strimpel begins by recounting her experience interviewing Adam Lyons, a pickup artist (PUA), during her time as a dating columnist in the mid-2000s. Lyons was part of a wave inspired by Neil Strauss's 2005 bestseller, The Game, which offered strategies for men to attract and discredit women for personal gain.

"I found Lyons perfectly nice, but the pickup artist or Pua Creed was clearly bad news, a manipulative offshoot of modern masculinity that... felt new." [(00:13)]

Strimpel criticizes the PUA movement for its manipulative tactics and perceives it as a sterile, angry, and sheltered iteration of masculinity that diverges from traditional rogue or rake archetypes. She argues that while such figures are not unprecedented, their approach signifies a concerning shift in masculine identity.

Andrew Tate and the Modern Manosphere

Transitioning to the present, Strimpel highlights Andrew Tate as a prominent figure emblematic of the current manosphere. Tate, an influencer accused of misogyny, has amassed a massive following, particularly among young men on platforms like TikTok. His online presence includes nearly 13 billion video views and a subscription-based course, Hustler University, which promises financial success and improved relationships with women.

"Constantly present in Tate's discourse is the paranoid notion of the Matrix... which he says is the dreary, subservient Cage contemporary men are stuck in and that he will help them break out of." [(00:33)]

Strimpel notes Tate's blend of misogynistic rhetoric with displays of wealth and luxury, which appeals to disillusioned young men seeking validation and success. She underscores the dangerous combination of violent misogyny and materialistic allure that characterizes Tate's influence.

Historical Context: Durkheim and Masculinity in Crisis

To contextualize the current situation, Strimpel references Emile Durkheim's 1893 analysis of masculinity in industrialized societies. Durkheim observed a rise in suicide rates among men, attributing it to social changes that left men alienated and rootless.

"Suicide is still a problem among men in the UK. Suicide rates are three times higher for men than for women, and men are more likely than women to be homeless." [(00:13)]

Unlike the manosphere, Durkheim approached the issue analytically, linking it to broader social transformations rather than attributing blame to women or societal hostility. Strimpel contrasts this with the manosphere's narrative, which posits men as victims of an antagonistic society.

The Crisis of Modern Masculinity

Strimpel argues that the manosphere capitalizes on the insecurities and disenfranchisement felt by many young men in the wake of movements like MeToo and broader cultural shifts towards gender equality. This environment fosters a backlash characterized by:

• Weaponization of Sex: Using sexual conquest as a means to assert dominance.
• Dehumanization of Women: Portraying women as adversaries or obstacles.
• Mythologized Past: Idealizing a patriarchal past where men were dominant breadwinners and protectors.

"They have built around a myth of a past in which the male was a masterful breadwinner... of whichever woman or women he chose to be his wife or lover." [(00:13)]

Strimpel highlights that this reactionary stance is rooted in a perceived loss of status and purpose among men, driving them toward extremist ideologies and behaviors.

Comparison with Robert Bly's Ideas

Strimpel draws parallels between Andrew Tate and Robert Bly, a poet and activist who, in the 1980s, addressed the crisis of masculinity by critiquing the absence of male role models and the impact of divorce and changing social norms on male development.

"By the 1980s, Bly... felt diminished by my lack of embodiment of the fruitful male... blamed the absence of male role models... for rising rates of juvenile delinquency and poor leadership." [(00:13)]

However, while Bly incorporated a more nuanced sociological perspective and engaged with historical texts, Tate represents a more extreme, anti-intellectual approach that fuses self-hatred with hatred of women, devoid of substantive theoretical grounding.

The New Era of Masculinity

Strimpel characterizes the current phase of masculinity as oscillating between self-hatred and misogyny, with a focus on material success and superficial attributes rather than genuine personal development or intellectual growth.

"The contemporary manosphere doesn’t appear to have any positive idea about what men should be apart from rich, pre epic and nasty." [(00:13)]

This new breed of masculine role models promotes a toxic blend of conspiracy theories and nihilism, steering young men away from addressing real societal and historical issues. Instead, they are drawn into a vortex of anti-woke and anti-feminist rhetoric that exacerbates feelings of isolation and frustration.

Societal Implications and Future Outlook

Strimpel warns that the allure of figures like Tate, who promise escape from perceived societal entrapments akin to "taking the red pill" in The Matrix, diverts attention from constructive discussions about masculinity and societal change.

"Today's gurus of popular masculinity are potentially herding millions of young men away from real questions of society and history and into the yawning rabbit hole of conspiracy and bottomless anomie." [(00:13)]

She emphasizes the importance of addressing the underlying issues of male mental health, societal expectations, and the need for healthy male role models to prevent the further spread of harmful ideologies within the manosphere.

Conclusion

Zoe Strimpel's essay in A Point of View provides a critical examination of the current state of masculinity, tracing its decline from historical analyses to the rise of modern extremist figures like Andrew Tate. By juxtaposing scholarly perspectives with contemporary phenomena, Strimpel underscores the complexity of the masculinity crisis and the urgent need for more constructive dialogue and support systems for men navigating these challenging societal shifts.

Notable Quotes

• Zoe Strimpel on Pickup Artists:

  "I found Lyons perfectly nice, but the pickup artist or Pua Creed was clearly bad news... felt new." [(00:13)]

• Zoe Strimpel on Andrew Tate's Influence:

  "Constantly present in Tate's discourse is the paranoid notion of the Matrix... which he says is the dreary, subservient Cage contemporary men are stuck in and that he will help them break out of." [(00:33)]

• Zoe Strimpel on Modern Masculinity:

  "The contemporary manosphere doesn’t appear to have any positive idea about what men should be apart from rich, pre epic and nasty." [(00:13)]

• Zoe Strimpel on Societal Impact:

  "Today's gurus of popular masculinity are potentially herding millions of young men away from real questions of society and history and into the yawning rabbit hole of conspiracy and bottomless anomie." [(00:13)]

References

Strimpel, Z. (2023, January 20). Masculinity: From Durkheim to Andrew Tate. A Point of View. BBC Radio 4.