Introduction
Last week, a person whom I have a great appreciation for informed me that the short film ‘The Mechanics of Fluids’ by Gala Hernández López had been awarded the César Award for best short documentary. This piqued my curiosity and I decided to do more research on the topic.
The incel subculture
The incel subculture, short for ‘involuntary celibacy’ in English, refers to virtual communities of people who want to have sexual relationships but are unable to establish them. Although I initially had certain prejudices, I decided not to judge and delve deeper into the topic.
Most people who call themselves incels are straight men. This subculture is part of a broader movement called the ‘manosphere’, which includes other movements such as the men’s rights movement and the Men Going Their Own Way movement. These movements discuss masculinity and the problems men face in today’s society.
The femcel movement
In response to the incel movement, the femcel movement has emerged, which represents the feminist reaction. Virtual communities of women who identify as femcels feel they cannot have sexual relationships due to misogyny and unattainable beauty standards imposed by society.
These communities, like the Involuntary Celibate Project and ThePinkPill, provide emotional support and a safe space for women who have experienced emotional harm. Unlike the incel movement, the femcel movement is not characterized by violence or misanthropy, but instead seeks to empower women and reject sexual objectification.
Conclusions
The incel subculture and the femcel movement are phenomena that have emerged in response to the difficulties that some people face in establishing sexual relationships. While the incel movement has been associated with negative and violent attitudes, the femcel movement seeks to empower women and challenge the beauty standards imposed by society.
It is important to understand that these movements represent only a part of society and should not be generalized. Instead of dividing us into communities that think the same way, it is essential to invest in the emotional support and mental health of all people.
