The Loud Voice of the Manosphere and Why We Must Speak Louder
- Mar 23
- 5 min read
Written by Katrina Fox, Founder & CEO
Katrina Fox is a 28-year-old founder and owner of RFRM. Studios, the inclusive Reformer Pilates brand she launched in 2023. From her roots in the Midlands, she’s now expanded to Covent Garden, creating welcoming spaces where 'every' body belongs, challenging the exclusive vibe of Reformer and making it more welcoming than ever.
The recent documentary Louis Theroux: Inside the Manosphere offers a disturbing yet necessary exploration into online communities that perpetuate harmful views on masculinity and gender equality. While the manosphere may be loud, this article highlights why it's crucial for us to raise our voices even louder in defense of respect, equality, and real masculinity.
A documentary on the manosphere that should make you uncomfortable
The recent Netflix release Louis Theroux: Inside the Manosphere is, in my opinion, a double-edged sword. It is uncomfortable. Infuriating. At times, deeply unsettling. And yet, it is also absolutely necessary. Because what this documentary does so clearly is hold a mirror up to a part of society many people would rather pretend doesn’t exist, a world where misogyny is repackaged as “masculinity,” where dominance is confused with strength, and where young men are being influenced daily by voices that profit from tearing women down. We cannot fix what we refuse to look at.
How are we still here in 2026?
What I cannot quite comprehend is this, "How are we still here? How, in 2026, are we still dealing with such outdated, archaic attitudes towards women? The “manosphere”, a network of online communities promoting anti-feminism and rigid, often harmful views on gender, continues to gain traction. And the most concerning part? It is influencing young boys. We are quite literally watching a generation being taught that women are lesser, that equality is a threat, and that power comes from control rather than character. That is not masculinity. That is insecurity, dressed up in confidence.
The statistics we can’t ignore
Let’s strip this back from opinion and look at reality, 80% of teenage boys have already been exposed to manosphere content, 73% of Gen Z users have seen misogynistic content online, with half seeing it weekly, nearly half of men in the UK believe gender equality has “gone far enough”, and almost one-third of Gen Z men agree a wife should obey her husband. Let that land. This isn’t fringe. This is mainstream.
“Name one thing women have invented”
One quote from the documentary that may as well have punched me straight in the face, “Name one thing women have invented.” I mean, where do you even begin? It’s not just wrong, it’s embarrassingly uneducated. And thankfully, the response online has been powerful. Women and men across the world have risen, not in anger alone, but in truth, showcasing the endless contributions women have made to society, innovation, culture, and progress. But here’s the thing, we shouldn’t still have to prove our worth. We all know it’s 2026, right?
The illusion of progress
We had just celebrated International Women’s Day. Social media was filled with empowerment, celebration, and messages about equality. It felt like progress. And then, in the same month, this documentary lands, and it’s like being hit with reality. Because the truth is, we are not there yet. Not even close. I recently had the privilege of hearing Ashley James (@ashleylouisejames) speak at a book event with Lucy’s book club (@lucysbookclub) for her work Bimbo. Her message was clear, the world is still fundamentally unequal for women. We fight harder. We prove more. We carry more. And movements like the manosphere? They are not harmless. They are actively holding us back.
Masculinity has been hijacked
Let’s be clear, this isn’t an attack on men. This is an attack on a version of masculinity that is not only outdated but also dangerous. The manosphere sells a narrative that masculinity equals dominance. Control. Superiority. But real masculinity? It doesn’t need to shout. It doesn’t need to degrade. It doesn’t need to prove itself by diminishing others. Because if your identity as a “man” means overpowering and disrespecting women, then that’s not strength and power. It’s weakness and fragility.
The part that truly infuriated me
One of the most disturbing conversations in the documentary centred around relationships, specifically monogamy. The suggestion? That men should be free to sleep with whoever they want, while women are expected to accept it. That this is just “what men do.” Let’s call that what it is, disrespect. The idea that a woman, a wife, a mother, a partner, should sacrifice emotionally, physically, and mentally for a family, while accepting betrayal as normal? Absolutely not. And the double standard? A man is praised, and a woman is shamed. We are still living in a world where the same behaviour is judged entirely differently depending on gender. That is not biology. That is conditioning.
Why this documentary matters
Here’s the part that might surprise you, I’m glad this documentary exists. Because silence is more dangerous than discomfort. We cannot challenge what we refuse to acknowledge. And one thing that is abundantly clear? We still have so much work to do. Parents, teachers, schools, employers, this is not just “online culture.” This is shaping real-world behaviour, real relationships, and real beliefs. The manosphere offers young men a false sense of control and certainty in a world that feels uncertain. But what it actually delivers is division, entitlement, and harm.
The future we owe the next generation
If I am lucky enough one day to raise a son, I know this:
He will be raised to understand equality.
He will be raised knowing that women are not competition.
He will be raised knowing respect is not optional.
He will be raised to see strength in kindness and character, not control.
Because the responsibility does not sit with women to shrink themselves into safety, adjust, or accommodate. It sits with all of us to raise better humans.
We are not going backwards
I am angry. But more than that, I am determined. To speak louder. To challenge harder. To refuse to accept anything less than equality. Because this isn’t just a conversation. It’s a responsibility.
Final thought, and it’s not a soft one
The manosphere is not masculinity. It is insecurity with a microphone. And if we continue to dismiss it as “just content,” “just opinion,” or “just boys being boys,” we are complicit in what comes next. The women before us fought too hard for us to stay quiet now. And the women after us? They deserve better than this. The manosphere may be loud. But so are we. And we’re not going anywhere.
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Read more from Katrina Fox
Katrina Fox, Founder & CEO
Katrina Fox has transformed RFRM. Studios into more than just a Pilates brand, she's built a vibrant community where movement meets mental well-being. By dismantling the cliquey barriers often associated with Reformer Pilates, Katrina has created a space where everyone feels welcome and supported. Her studios aren't just places to take a class. They are sanctuaries for building confidence, fostering connections, and embracing personal growth. Through her unwavering commitment, Katrina has cultivated a culture of inclusivity and empowerment, proving that when we support each other, the sky's the limit.
