Should you have char kway teow at lunch or dinner? Ask your gut

Wanted: Participants for a study on how Singaporeans of different ethnicities digest food

- Tan Hsueh Yun

observed in the manosphere. Whether these groups are equivalent to the ones in the West merits further research, but Ms Wong, who studies social cohesion and inter-group relations, adds: "These groups still contribute towards the normalisation of misogynistic narratives — whether through desensitisation to such views as the 'norm' as such narratives go unmoderated, or the intertwining of internet humour with misogyny (as well as racism and homophobia), thus popularising such narratives."

These forums frequently host complaints about NS wasting away youth, as well as unfair "advantages" conferred on women by the Women's Charter.

She says that inoculating the public through education and exposure to common manosphere narratives and terminology is key, as much of the public remains unaware of the dangers.

"Similar to Singapore's treatment of radical preachers who preach intolerance, influencers like Andrew Tate should be made known to the public as divisive figures," she adds.

More importantly, there is a need to address the insecurities faced by teenage boys and young men that these narratives target. Many such ideologies are premised on threats to traditional notions of masculinity.

"Failure to attain this ideal and societal pressures to conform to gender roles (men as breadwinners, not permitting boys to express their emotions) have resulted in resentment projected at the progress of women and other minorities," she says.

WHAT ARE THE WARNING SIGNS?

What is worth noting is that manosphere content tends to be rooted in a hierarchical world view based on immutable traits, with narratives of self-victimisation and persecution.

One thing to look out for is when someone misuses scientific theories to advance pseudo-scientific and misogynist theories of female behaviour.