Man Up: The New Misogyny and the Rise of Violent Extremism

Man Up examines how misogyny is connected to mass violence and far-right extremism across the Western world. Most mass shooters and violent extremists share two characteristics: they are predominantly men or boys, and they are typically virulent misogynists, homophobes, or transphobes, often alongside other ideological motivations like racism or antisemitism. The book documents specific cases where misogyny played a central role in violent attacks. Examples include the Michigan militia members who plotted against Governor Gretchen Whitmer using misogynistic language, perpetrators of mass shootings at Virginia Tech and the Pulse nightclub with histories of stalking or domestic violence, and incel and male supremacist attackers in North America, Norway, and New Zealand who explicitly targeted women. Miller-Idriss argues that despite evidence linking misogyny to these attacks, the media and experts have largely failed to acknowledge this pattern, leaving society unprepared to prevent violence. The book addresses how online and offline misogyny and patriarchal backlash are driving increased mass and far-right violence. It provides strategies for parents, teachers, and counselors to combat rising violence by recognizing misogyny in everyday life.