The increase in misogynistic beliefs impacts intimate relationships.
Key points
- The current rise in misogynistic beliefs may be leading to a rise in domestic violence.
- The rhetoric on online communities normalizes violence toward women and girls.
- Global data show that both men and women fare better when they believe in and practice gender equality.
In a recent blog post, I wrote that a PBS report identified a remarkable surge in misogyny. The report showed a 4600% increase in terms like “Your body, my choice” and “Get back in the kitchen.” Such rhetoric can place women at greater risk for harm, and we now have some specific evidence that this is occurring in the realm of domestic violence.
Domestic Violence on the Rise
After years of decline, domestic violence has been increasing since 2020, according to a recent report by the US Department of Justice (February 2026).
- Over the five-year period studied, the percentage of violent crimes within domestic relationships increased. Law enforcement reported more than 11,000 domestic violence murder victims and an additional 1.1 million victims of domestic violence. Nearly 75 percent of the victims were female.
- In addition to the domestic violence special report, an analysis of teen relationship violence in 2024 was also released. The reported data show there were more than 70,500 incidents of teen relationship violence in one year.
Gender Discrimination
Our cultural norms respond to distinct societal pressures. In the realm of gender discrimination, a new societal influence known as the “manosphere” appears to be having a tremendous deleterious impact.
As Ana Carmo reports in UN News: “A growing network of online communities known collectively as the ‘manosphere’ is emerging as a serious threat to gender equality, as toxic digital spaces increasingly influence real-world attitudes, behaviors and policies, the UN agency dedicated to ending gender discrimination has warned.”
According to the Secretary General’s report on violence against women and girls, these groups are united by an opposition to feminism and misrepresent men as “victims” of the current social and political climate.
Also, according to a report by the Movember Foundation, a leading men’s health organization, two-thirds of young men regularly engage with masculinity influencers online. An article on the UN Women website notes, “Experts are finding that the popularity of extreme language in the manosphere not only normalizes violence against women and girls, but has growing links to radicalization and extremist ideologies.”
While searching for forums to openly discuss and/or learn about men’s issues, men and boys can happen upon unhealthy behaviors like instructing boys and men to build themselves up by putting others down. Exploiting and devaluing others is central to the behavior of an intimate coercive partner out to gain power and dominate in their relationship.
The Value in Gender Equality for All
Misogyny and gender inequality harm both men and women. From a global status report by Equimundo, an advocacy organization that focuses on men and social justice:
- Affirming the power of gender equality in the home is paying forward: Women and men who grow up seeing gender equality practiced in the household as children hold more equitable attitudes as adults.
- Men who live and believe in gender equality are healthier and happier, while men with restrictive gender attitudes are more likely to engage in harmful risk-taking behaviors, including substance abuse. Also, they can be more prone to depression and suicide.
As therapists, we can pay attention when these themes come up with our clients and have our clinical work embody psycho-education as needed, all in the service of helping clients experience goodwill within themselves and others.
©Lambert
This post first appeared on Psychology Today.
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