​I was having a conversation with ChatGPT about the Netflix series Adolescence. We started discussing some of the reasons it might be anti-male. Having not seen more than a few clips of the series I had not really developed an opinion on it. (and FWIW I have no way of knowing if a spoiler alert is needed) But after reading the ideas it offered I was fairly convinced that it was correct. Then again, sometimes AI gets it wrong.

It does mention, but not elaborate on, the decades long intentional dismantling of male spaces and how this leaves boys now with few options for male spaces outside of gaming and the internet which are both under attack.

The following is ChatGPT’s take on the series. See what you think.

The Anti-Male Agenda in Netflix’s Adolescence

Netflix’s limited series Adolescence has sparked widespread debate, particularly regarding its portrayal of masculinity and male-oriented online spaces. The show follows a disturbing premise: a 13-year-old boy, allegedly influenced by the so-called "manosphere," commits a violent crime against a young girl. While media critiques of online radicalization are not inherently problematic, Adolescence appears to go beyond cautionary storytelling and into the realm of ideological propaganda. The series constructs a narrative that pathologizes male identity and spaces dedicated to discussing men’s issues. By examining the show’s premise, its selective framing of male spaces, and its lack of real-world precedent, it becomes evident that Adolescence is, in fact, a piece of anti-male propaganda.

A Contrived and Unfounded Premise

One of the most glaring issues with Adolescence is the far-fetched nature of its central premise. The idea that a 13-year-old boy would be driven to commit murder purely due to exposure to the manosphere is highly dubious. While youth violence is a real concern, particularly in the UK, there is no known case of a teenage boy murdering a girl as a direct result of consuming manosphere content. Most adolescent violence in Britain is linked to gang culture, drug-related conflicts, or personal disputes—not ideological indoctrination. By inventing a scenario in which a boy is radicalized into violence solely through online male spaces, Adolescence fabricates a moral panic, blaming men’s communities for crimes they have no real connection to.

Furthermore, the show fails to acknowledge that male-oriented online spaces are diverse. The manosphere, broadly defined, consists of self-improvement discussions, dating advice, critiques of modern gender dynamics, and—yes—some extreme elements. However, to suggest that these spaces directly create violent offenders oversimplifies and misrepresents the reality. Instead of engaging with the nuances of why boys and men seek out these spaces, Adolescence demonizes them wholesale, portraying them as nothing more than breeding grounds for misogyny and violence.

 

Selective Framing: The Pathologization of Masculinity

Beyond its premise, Adolescence reinforces a broader trend in contemporary media: the systematic pathologization of masculinity. Male struggles, particularly those of young boys navigating modern society, are rarely explored with empathy. Instead, when boys experience anger, alienation, or confusion, media narratives often frame them as threats rather than as individuals in need of support.

In Adolescence, the young male protagonist is depicted as impressionable, dangerous, and incapable of critical thinking. His journey into the manosphere is framed as a descent into darkness, ignoring the fact that many boys turn to these spaces in search of guidance, mentorship, and community. The show makes no effort to portray healthy male role models, positive masculine influences, or the legitimate grievances that lead young men to seek out these spaces. Instead, masculinity is framed as inherently toxic, with no possibility for positive expression. This portrayal perpetuates the harmful stereotype that male struggles are not worthy of sympathy, but rather should be feared and suppressed.

Additionally, the female characters in the series are portrayed as passive victims, with little exploration of their own complexities. This creates a one-sided narrative where women are innocent sufferers and men are the agents of harm. A more balanced approach would have examined the social pressures affecting both boys and girls, rather than resorting to a simplistic good-versus-evil dichotomy.

An Intentional Attack on the Manosphere

The series does not simply critique certain radical elements within the manosphere—it seeks to discredit the entire ecosystem. It is no secret that mainstream media has increasingly portrayed male-focused online communities in a negative light, often lumping together self-improvement influencers with more extreme ideological figures. Adolescence follows this trend, offering no distinction between the various branches of the manosphere. The result is an intellectually dishonest smear campaign.

For instance, the show could have explored why boys are drawn to these spaces in the first place. Many young men feel alienated in modern society, struggling with issues such as declining educational outcomes, increased loneliness, and a lack of positive male mentorship. Some turn to the manosphere for answers, seeking advice on confidence, fitness, career success, and relationships. Yet Adolescence ignores these legitimate reasons, portraying the manosphere as nothing more than a dangerous pipeline to extremism. This selective framing reveals an agenda: not to engage with the reality of young male struggles, but to vilify and delegitimize spaces where men discuss their experiences.

A Broader Cultural Trend

Adolescence is not an isolated example—it is part of a wider cultural movement that seeks to demonize men’s spaces while ignoring or downplaying issues affecting men and boys. In recent years, mainstream media narratives have become increasingly focused on framing masculinity itself as a problem. Terms like "toxic masculinity" are frequently used to criticize traditional male behaviors, while issues such as male suicide rates, fatherlessness, and educational decline receive far less attention.

This trend is particularly troubling because it creates a societal climate where men and boys are discouraged from seeking support. If male-centered spaces are continually framed as dangerous or hateful, young men may feel they have nowhere to turn. Rather than helping boys develop into well-adjusted individuals, media portrayals like those in Adolescence reinforce the idea that male identity is inherently flawed and in need of correction. This is not only unfair but potentially harmful, as it contributes to the very sense of alienation that leads boys to seek out alternative communities in the first place.

The Real-World Consequences of Anti-Male Narratives

The impact of shows like Adolescence extends beyond entertainment. Cultural narratives shape public perception and, eventually, policy. When masculinity is consistently portrayed as dangerous, it influences the way society treats boys and men. Schools, workplaces, and even legal systems may adopt policies based on the assumption that men are predisposed to harmful behavior.

For instance, the increasing emphasis on combating "male radicalization"—despite a lack of concrete evidence linking the manosphere to widespread violence—has led to social media crackdowns on men’s content. Meanwhile, discussions about the challenges facing young men are often dismissed or labeled as reactionary. Adolescence contributes to this hostile climate by reinforcing the idea that men’s spaces are inherently dangerous and that boys who question modern gender narratives are potential threats.

Conclusion: A One-Sided and Harmful Narrative

Netflix’s Adolescence is not just a cautionary tale about online radicalization—it is an ideological attack on masculinity and male-oriented spaces. By constructing a far-fetched premise, selectively framing male struggles, and failing to engage with the real issues affecting young men, the series functions as anti-male propaganda. Rather than fostering a nuanced discussion about the challenges boys face in modern society, Adolescence seeks to delegitimize male spaces and pathologize masculinity itself.

This type of media narrative is not only misleading but harmful. By perpetuating fear and suspicion toward boys and men, it discourages meaningful conversations about male struggles and alienates those who are already feeling lost. If we truly care about the well-being of young men, we must move beyond ideological portrayals and engage in honest discussions about the challenges they face. Unfortunately, Adolescence does the opposite, choosing sensationalism over truth and division over understanding.

The International Council for Men and Boys (ICMB) proudly announces the launch of the New York Declaration for Men and Boys, a significant document addressing crucial global issues impacting males. Released on the 30th anniversary of the Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action, which focused on women and girls, this declaration marks a pivotal moment. It emphasizes the need for genuine equality by highlighting the perspectives and challenges faced by boys and men.

You can read the declaration below, or follow this link to the ICMB web site. Many thanks to both Ed Bartlett and Larry DeMarco for their leadership on this important document.

Please share this.

menandboys.net

New York Declaration for Men and Boys1

Preamble:

1. Gathered in New York City in the Year 2025, on the eve of the 30th anniversary of the Beijing Declaration, a landmark moment for gender equality,

2. Committed to the principles of dignity and equal opportunity for all, as enshrined in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and other international human rights instruments,

3. Celebrating the extraordinary gains toward equality achieved for women and girls,

4. Alarmed by the profound and persistent inequities affecting men and boys globally in health, education, family life, workplace safety, justice, and other areas,2

5. Recognizing that these disparities often affect minority men more severely than other men, thereby compounding the challenges they face,

6. Asserting that the principle of gender equality requires the full inclusion of men and boys as both beneficiaries of fairness and active partners in progress,

7. Dedicated to creating a world where everyone, regardless of gender, can live with dignity, purpose, and equal opportunity,

8. Recognizing that policies and social structures that disadvantage men weaken families, communities, and society as a whole, and

9. Acknowledging that achieving gender equality benefits both men and women.

On behalf of nations, organizations, and individuals, we declare our commitment to address the following priorities for men and boys:

I. Physical Health and Well-being

10. Recognizing that men face shorter life expectancies and a far greater risk of workplace fatalities,

11. We commit to closing the health outcomes gap by:
● Ensuring that men are adequately represented as participants in health research; and
● Establishing offices of men’s health to address the understudied problems that affect the health of men and boys.

_________________________________________________

II. Mental Health and Societal Expectations

12. Recognizing that male suicide rates are, in almost all countries, far higher than female suicide rates, and that men face more mental health challenges, including addiction-related mortality and deaths of despair, and

13. Acknowledging that societal pressures can isolate men from emotional connection and support, hindering their mental well-being,

14. We commit to:

● Promoting models of masculinity that foster engagement with families, friends, colleagues and communities;
● Encouraging open dialogue about men’s emotional health by creating environments where men are at ease in seeking help; and
● Prioritizing campaigns to prevent male suicide and deaths of despair that offer effective counseling.

______________________________________________

III. Education and Lifelong Learning

15. Acknowledging that boys and young men, particularly those from marginalized communities, are disproportionately affected by shortfalls in school achievement,

16. We commit to ensuring equal access to education by:

● Increasing the representation of male teachers;
● Considering the distinctive developmental processes of boys; and
● Ensuring equal opportunity for scholarships for men.
● Overcoming learning deficiencies, literacy barriers, and dropout rates among boys;


_____________________________________________

IV. Family and Shared Parenting

17. Recognizing not only the distinctive and critical ways in which fathers contribute to the well-being of children, and also acknowledging the harm caused by systems that unjustly deny children the opportunity to maintain maximal parenting time with both parents, and

18. Noting that laws that promote equal-shared parenting -- both shared physical access and shared decision making – contribute to a broad range of improved outcomes for children.

19. We commit to:

● Reducing or eliminating financial incentives in family law that allow parents (with or without a third party) to cause or enable conflict within the family;
● Recognizing that parental alienating behaviours are a serious form of child abuse; and
● Reforming child-support laws to reduce parental conflict by reflecting the needs of modern families in which financial support and child decision making are more equally shared.

_______________________________________________________

V. Justice and Equality Before the Law

20. Acknowledging that men are disproportionately affected by biases in the arrest, charging, conviction, and punishment phases of the legal system,

21. We commit to:

● Enforcing due process in all courts and tribunals;
● Ensuring impartial investigations that rely on the presumption of innocence; and
● Reforming legal policies and procedures to prevent the harsher treatment of men in criminal and family courts.

_______________________________________

VI. Workplace Safety

22. Recognizing that men account for virtually all workplace fatalities and a majority of workplace injuries,

23. We commit to:

● Strengthening workplace safety standards and protections;
● Promoting access to non-traditional jobs for men, such as nursing and teaching; and
● Equipping men with skills and opportunities to work in emerging industries to replace jobs that have been lost due to globalization and automation.

_________________________________________

VII. Paternal Justice

24. Recognizing that men face injustice in matters of reproduction, including the lack of recourse in cases of misattributed paternity and paternity fraud, unfair child-support obligations, control over embryos that contain shared DNA, and denial of choice in cases of adoption,

25. We commit to:

● Ensuring that men and women have equal influence in decisions about frozen embryos that have been created with former partners;
● Reforming child-support systems to remedy unjust financial obligations when paternity has been disproven; and
● Promoting policies that foster fairness, dialogue, and respect in matters of reproductive justice.

________________________________________

VIII. Violence and False Allegations

26. Recognizing that men and boys are often victims of violence, abuse, and trafficking, but their experiences are often ignored or minimized, resulting in many male victims being left without access to resources and support,

27. Recognizing that hundreds of research studies confirm that men are as likely as women to be victims of domestic violence and abuse, and

28. Noting the problem of false allegations, which are more often directed against men than against women,

29. We commit to:

● Relying on evidence-based public policies that are consistent with research studies that expose the incidence, causes, and consequences of male victimization;
● Providing equitable services and protections for male victims; and
● Combating the harmful effects of false allegations.

____________________________________________________

IX. Media Portrayals

30. Recognizing that media portrayals of men in popular culture not only perpetuate harmful stereotypes of men but also ignore helpful ones,

31. We commit to:

● Highlighting men’s many contributions as leaders, builders, caregivers, and fathers;
● Promoting fair and balanced representation of men and boys in popular culture; and
● Challenging portrayals that trivialize male pain, injury, or any other form of suffering.

_____________________________________________

Conclusions

32. Recognizing that establishing these priorities requires collaboration among international organizations, governments, civil society, and individuals,

33. We urge all interested parties to:

● Work to promote gender equality for men and boys;
● Eliminate harmful stereotypes of men;
● Allocate resources for research, advocacy, and programs that address male disadvantages;
● Integrate the needs of men and boys into national and international policies.

________________________________________________

1 The New York Declaration for Men and Boys is available online at:
https://www.menandboys.net/declaration/
2 The studies and reports documenting the 12 areas of male inequality are available at
https://menandboys.net

This is a list compiled from my own writing and that of both Grok and ChatGPT. Have a look and see what you think. What is left out?

1. Cultivate Awareness & Knowledge

• Educate yourself on how gynocentrism influences society, law, relationships, and media.

• Read books and research on gender dynamics (e.g., Warren Farrell, Paul Nathanson & Katherine Young).

• Recognize societal double standards that disadvantage men, from everyday issues like Ladies' Nights to more serious disparities in domestic violence laws, family courts, and child support. Learn to articulate these issues clearly.

2. Reject Shame-Based Narratives

• Identify and resist guilt-based controls that shame men into self-sacrifice (e.g., “real men provide no matter what”).

• Stand firm in your worth beyond traditional obligations of servitude or disposability.

• Refuse to let shame dictate your choices, relationships, or self-perception.

• Know that your worth as a man goes beyond accomplishments.

3. Build and Support Male Spaces

• Engage in or create male-positive spaces like men’s groups, online communities, and mentorship programs.

• Support platforms that advocate for men’s well-being and counter isolation.

• Foster brotherhood and mutual support among red pilled men to resist divisive narratives.

• Enjoy male-only gatherings, whether through sports, hiking, gaming, running, working out, music, or simply spending time with friends.

4. Challenge Double Standards & Unfair Policies

• Call out biases in family courts, education, workplace policies, and domestic violence laws. (to name a few)

• Advocate for fair treatment in custody battles, scholarship access, and workplace regulations.

• Use facts, not emotion, to challenge misandrist narratives (e.g., men make up 92% of workplace fatalities, yet are ignored in safety policies).

5. Set Boundaries & Control Your Relationships

• Avoid relationships where you are valued only for what you provide (e.g., financial security, protection).

• Build relationships based on mutual respect, appreciation, and shared values—not obligation.

• Walk away from dynamics that demand self-sacrifice without reciprocity.

6. Reject the "Happy Wife, Happy Life" Mentality

• Stop prioritizing a woman's happiness at the expense of your own.

• Expect reciprocity in emotional support, sacrifices, and decision-making.

• Speak up for your needs and don’t suppress yourself just to “keep the peace.”

7. Challenge Gynocentric Media Narratives

• Call out media that demonizes men or glorifies female victimhood while ignoring male struggles.

• Support content creators who highlight men’s perspectives and challenges.

• Create and share your own content to offer a counter-narrative to gynocentrism.

8. Prioritize Male Well-Being

• Take your physical, mental, and emotional health seriously.

• Pursue your own goals and happiness without guilt.

• Seek self-improvement, and personal growth on your own terms—not based on external expectations.

9. Support Fathers & Male Mentors

• Advocate for father’s rights and fair custody laws.

• Stay involved in your children’s lives despite legal and social obstacles.

• Mentor younger men so they receive guidance outside of gynocentric narratives.

10. Live Authentically & Be Vocal

• Lead by example—live according to your own principles, not societal expectations.

• Show that rejecting gynocentrism doesn’t mean hating women—it means demanding fairness.

• Speak out about men’s issues despite potential backlash. Change starts with those willing to stand up.