An Exploration of the Involuntary Celibate (Incel) Subculture Online

Incels, a portmanteau of the terminvoluntary celibates, operate in online communities to discuss difficulties in attaining sexual relationships. Past reports have found that multiple elements of the incel culture are misogynistic and favorable towards violence. Further, several violent incidents have been linked to this community, which suggests that incel communities may resemble other ideologically motivated extremist groups. The current study employed an inductive qualitative analysis of over 8,000 posts made in two online incel communities to identify the norms, values, and beliefs of these groups from a subcultural perspective. Analyses found that the incel community was structured around five interrelated normative orders: the sexual market, women as naturally evil, legitimizing masculinity, male oppression, and violence. The implications of this analysis for our understanding of extremism and the role of the internet in radicalization to violence are considered in depth.

Automated summary

Incels, short for involuntary celibates, discuss challenges in sexual relationships in online communities. Reports have shown that the incel culture is misogynistic and supports violence, with links to violent incidents. An analysis of over 8,000 posts in two online incel communities reveals that norms in this subculture revolve around the sexual market, negative views of women, legitimizing masculinity, male oppression, and violence. This study sheds light on the role of the internet in radicalizing extremist groups.