Following Andrew Tate’s recent charges and arrest in Romania, Monash experts are available to comment on why many young men who see Tate as a role model reject the possibility of his guilt and instead suggest that he is the target of global forces working to undermine and silence him.
Dr Stephanie Wescott, Monash Faculty of Education
Contact: +61 430 014 966 or Stephanie.Wescott@monash.edu
Professor Steven Roberts, Monash Faculty of Education
Contact: steven.d.roberts@monash.edu
Read more of Dr Wescott and Professor Roberts’ work in the Canberra Times.
- Toxic masculinity
- Radicalisation of boys
- Misogynist influencers
- Spread of toxic attitudes and behaviour among boys
The following can be attributed to Dr Wescott and Professor Roberts:
“Our research indicates that many of Andrew Tate's young followers are vulnerable to conspiratorial thinking around these recent charges and his arrest.
“Tate directly incites his followers to believe in the existence of 'The Matrix' - an alleged global conspiracy controlled by the world's 'elite' working to take down Tate as well as forms of ‘traditional’ masculinity that he promotes and encourages.
“We know that many young men reject the possibility of Tate's guilt, instead suggesting that he is the target of these global forces working to undermine and silence him.
“Boys who identify Tate as a role model and source of motivation are quick to dismiss criminal culpability as part of this broader conspiracy.
“It is likely then that news of these charges will only reinforce these beliefs and embolden Tate's young fans to believe that he is a victim rather than a perpetrator.”
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