Adolescence: the Trojan horse to end violence against women?
- Sorcha Alford
- 3 days ago
- 5 min read
Trigger Warning: The following article discusses violence against women.
Contains Spoilers.
Last weekend, I decided to watch Netflix’s new drama Adolescence. I had been apprehensive to watch it, assuming it would be another unbearable, gratuitous depiction of the murder of a young girl, which would fall on deaf ears.
While my initial reaction was one of anger and frustration, Adolescence provoked a far more nuanced response than I expected. Its portrayal of young men and the roots of misogynistic violence forces its audience to grapple with uncomfortable truths about perpetrators of gendered violence. With its focus on the devastating consequences of extreme misogyny for young boys, I am hopeful it may be the Trojan horse we need to garner concern over the rise in violence against women.
Incel Culture and The Manosphere
Adolescence portrays the effect of the mass indoctrination of young men that has occurred with the popularisation of the Manosphere, an extremist form of online sexism which has been widely disseminated by content creators (including self-proclaimed misogynist, Andrew Tate); and Incel culture, made up of ‘involuntarily celibate’ young men whose identities are defined by their lack of sexual encounters with women, for which they blame women.
On the one hand, ‘Adolescence’ is a window into an incels mind and a devastating confirmation of some of my worst fears. But on the other hand, it is an exquisitely executed, long overdue, wake-up call, which depicts the nuance of the causes and effects of the rising public health crisis of violence against women.
The show consists of 4 episodes and follows the aftermath of the murder of 13-year-old Katie Leonard by 13-year-old Jamie Miller. The storyline focuses mainly on Jamie, the investigation into his crime, and the impact it has on both him and his family (in particular, the emotional fallout for his father, Eddie).
Importantly, Jamie comes from a normal, loving family. His parents are devoted childhood sweethearts, and he appears close to his older sister. Despite this, he still falls victim to Incel culture and is radicalised, from his mobile phone, in his own home.
The Power of Seeing Male Rage from the Male Perspective
As I digested the show, I felt uncomfortable with the focus on Jamie; echoing the sentiment of the investigating officer, DS Misha Frank, ”Everyone will remember Jamie. No one will remember [Katie]”.
It is often the case that murderers are inadvertently immortalised, overshadowing their victim’s memory. However, in this instance, I believe focusing on Jamie provides insight into the root cause of violence against women: the radicalisation of the men who commit such atrocities. The show re-frames gendered violence from ‘girl murdered’ to ‘boy murders girl’, forcing the viewer to acknowledge the links between sexism, male rage, and violence against women.
Katie’s absence in the show is marked, with only glimpses of her in the CCTV footage of her murder, the photo Jamie is shown of her in the police station, and her voice in the choir. Importantly, Katie is not a perfect victim – her online bullying of Jamie plays a role in his growing isolation and radicalisation. The creator’s choice to not canonize her in death humanises her, acting as a reminder that victims can be complex, and yet still worthy of justice and sympathy.
Incompatible Feelings?
The show provokes a complex mix of seemingly incompatible emotions towards Jamie, especially given his young age contrasted with his violent crime. From sorrow and pity at the demise of such a young and promising boy, to anger at his decision to channel his insecurities into misogyny and gendered violence.
I have reconciled that these conflicting feelings can exist together. We can be both enraged by the avoidable death of a woman, whilst feeling grief for the young men and boys who choose to go down this path. This is central to the notion that patriarchy and sexism harm both men and women and evidences the need to dismantle the systems upholding inequality, for the benefit of all.
The radicalisation of young men online is a silent epidemic that has been overlooked for years, evidenced by the murder of one woman, by a man, every 3 days in the UK. Tellingly, ‘Adolescence’ dropped on Netflix just as it was released that crossbow killer, Kyle Clifford, had searched for Andrew Tate videos just hours before murdering Louise Hunt, her sister Hannah, and their mother Carol.
I firmly believe that a lack of compassion, sensitivity, and emotional connection is a key factor in the radicalisation of young boys. Societal pressures for men to be strong, dominant, and emotionless have created a void that can easily be exploited. While men are certainly responsible for their choices and should be held accountable for their actions, it is essential to approach their experiences with curiosity and empathy. A societal failing is at play, and I am relieved that this is finally being acknowledged.
A Vessel for Women’s Rights
Admittedly, I am somewhat frustrated that a show that focuses so heavily on the formation of the perpetrator and his demise is what has elicited such shock, when so many shows have come before that have identified the suffering caused to female victims, with far less public horror. I can’t help but wonder why this is. And yet, I am grateful to the creators for producing a show focussing on violence against women that has resonated with many people - so far, Adolescence has achieved over 24.3 million views worldwide.
Promisingly there have been many calls to show Adolescence in Parliament as well as schools and Prime Minister Keir Stamer has recognised that "we may have a problem with boys and young men". I am hopeful Adolescence will serve as a Trojan horse for progressive change – leading to more conversations about and action to prevent violence against women.
Again, I have to remind myself that it is okay to be conflicted. To feel that women are overlooked and that their lives are valued less than men’s; whilst feeling sorrow for the boys and men who are being harmed by incel culture; and feeling relief that conversations about violence against women have become so mainstream. These feelings reflect the nuance of this complex topic.
A Call for Compassion and Connection
I believe that compassion and connection are what is needed to overcome the popularisation of incel culture, which appeals to alienated men. So instead of shunning men with anger, we must open up conversations about their views on masculinity and women so that they can be vulnerable and heal. This requires great strength and courage from women, who have been subjected to systemic sexism and violence throughout history. Adolescence has started these conversations.
It may feel counterintuitive to use sympathy and connection to prevent violence, but I believe it is the only path forward. Addressing the cycle of gender-based violence involves both confronting difficult truths and creating space for healing. Adolescence holds a mirror up to the societal forces that shape violent young men, and it is our collective responsibility to look into that mirror and work to change what we see.