Try GOLD - Free
How to miss the entire point of Netflix's 'Adolescence'
Mint New Delhi
|April 11, 2025
It turns out, Margaret Atwood didn't actually say "Men are afraid that women will laugh at them, women are afraid that men will kill them." At least, not in those many words. But the quote has been attributed to her so often that it has become canon (for the accuracy-minded, it is a paraphrasing of a passage from an essay she wrote in 1982).

I don't know if the makers of Adolescence, the Netflix drama about a 13-year-old boy who is accused of killing a female classmate after being radicalized into a toxic performance of masculinity by adult men looking for clicks and views, had Atwood's observation in mind when they set out to make this series. It is, however, the one that I thought of constantly while watching it. Because that's what happens—a boy is made fun of; a girl is killed.
Some prickly male commentators have taken this to mean liberal society is villainizing testosterone, sports, body-building and male loners—presumably, all the things that make men, men. At least one column has been written that mocks feminism, gender studies, therapy, and even, puzzlingly, literary fiction, which has largely been the domain of male authors for most of its history. It appears to question the very existence of the 'manosphere'—a clumsy word, admittedly. It's a corner of the online world that deals with telling boys and men that they are losing power in an over-feminized society and must claim it back by asserting their natural manliness.
This story is from the April 11, 2025 edition of Mint New Delhi.
Subscribe to Magzter GOLD to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 10,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber? Sign In
MORE STORIES FROM Mint New Delhi

Mint New Delhi
In a sea of tech talent, companies can’t find the workers they want
There has rarely, if ever, been so much tech talent available in the job market.
4 mins
October 03, 2025

Mint New Delhi
H-1B clampdown may extend to US college faculty
Rising anti-immigration sentiment in the US is no longer confined to moves to limit foreign technology workers from entering the country. Lawmakers are now turning their attention to universities, professors and researchers as well.
2 mins
October 03, 2025

Mint New Delhi
Govt scans e-commerce cos’ COD charges, refund delays
The government will examine if cash-on-delivery charges imposed by online retailers are aimed at nudging consumers to pay upfront, and why refunds are delayed or blocked if prepaid orders are cancelled, said two people aware of the matter.
2 mins
October 03, 2025

Mint New Delhi
Why India's best students face a tough job market
Students entering this year's placement season are stepping into a rough job market.
2 mins
October 03, 2025
Mint New Delhi
GST boom ahead?
India's latest goods and services tax (GST) revenue figures paint an optimistic picture.
1 min
October 03, 2025
Mint New Delhi
FPIs pull record ₹2 tn on valuations, weak rupee
Heavy outflows could cap market gains; Nifty returns just 0.3% in dollar terms
2 mins
October 03, 2025

Mint New Delhi
Hexaware sued for $500 million in US over patent breach
American IT services firm Natsoft Corp. has sued Hexaware Technologies Ltd for breach of contract and patent infringement, seeking $500 million in damages from the latter, in one of the biggest patent cases against an Indian IT firm.
3 mins
October 03, 2025

Mint New Delhi
WHY INDIA IS SEEKING A NEW SUNRISE IN JAPAN
India missed out on Japanese investment in its initial post-reform years. That could change now
7 mins
October 03, 2025
Mint New Delhi
Art, play and a side of burgers
A Mint guide to what's happening in and around your city
1 min
October 03, 2025

Mint New Delhi
Silicon screen: Movie guns bet on AI content
With increasing focus on and need for production of AI-generated content to scale pipelines and speak to younger audiences, many film industry veterans are exploring partnerships with companies specialising in AI or launching their own ventures.
1 mins
October 03, 2025
Listen
Translate
Change font size