By Mariama Bah
A complete and honest confrontation of Gender-Based Violence (GBV) requires shifting the focus from solely victim support to rigorously examining the role of men and toxic masculinities in perpetuating, enabling, and committing violence. There are many factors that drive men’s impact on GBV, beyond simplistic narratives to societal pressures, such as economic decline and sense of emasculation, can heighten aggression and intimate partner violence. Critically, this discussion must also address the rise of online ideological movements, such as the manosphere, which actively normalizes misogyny and radicalizes individuals into spaces that fuel real-world harm. Furthermore, the intersectional vulnerability of those who bear the heaviest burden of this violence, specifically women with disabilities and/or low income. Exploring policy frameworks and accountability measures are necessary to engage men as active, non-violent partners and humans in achieving true gender equality.
Social and Econ – Emasculation
- financial instability and increased domestic violence.
- The influence of traditional gender roles
- Examining how perceived loss of power or status relates to controlling and aggressive behavior.
- Drawing on data from the State of American/UK Men
The pervasive issue of Gender-Based Violence (GBV) is exacerbated by societal and economic drivers, which work with rigid gender roles to increase men’s use of violence. Studies consistently link financial uncertainty and periods of economic downturn, such as unemployment or recessions, to an increase in domestic abuse and controlling behaviors. This correlation is rooted in the influence of traditional masculinity, according to the State of American Men 2025 report, which still overwhelmingly dictates that a man’s primary identity is that of a “provider” from 86% of men and 77% of women defining manhood. When financial instability challenges this core role, men may experience a critical sense of failure, powerlessness, or “emasculation”. This perceived loss of status is often channeled into backlash violence, a destructive effort to reassert dominance and control over an intimate partner as a substitute for lost external power. The mental health toll of this economic pressure is severe, men facing financial instability are reported to be over 16 times more likely to report suicidal thoughts (Equimundo), bringing forth a crisis of identity and despair that becomes a direct fuel for heightened aggression and violence within the home.
