Secrets Behind Andrew Tate’s Massive Following Among Young White Men

Exploring the manosphere: why Tate’s message resonates with the young demographic

A survey of 500 Australian schoolboys found that more than 90% of boys knew who Tate was, 30% agreed that they looked up to him as a role model and 36% agreed he was relatable, with boys pointing to his ability to speak his mind, his successful lifestyle and his perceived advocacy for men. Though many qualified their views to say only some of what he said was relatable and that they could not relate to his views on women.” -Source

The controversial American-born influencer and former kickboxing champion who recently secured bail after being arrested on suspicions of rape and human trafficking in Romania enjoys a lot of popularity, particularly among young white men. This popularity is demonstrated in the statistics above which are from a survey conducted by the Man Cave program after its school program facilitators noticed Tate’s growing influence among teenage boys and a worrying rise in misogynistic attitudes.

The underlining reason why the self-proclaimed king of toxic masculinity is so seductive to this particular demographic has been said to be a lack of healthier male role models, and so in steps Tate as:

1. He presents an image of masculinity, rooted in the traditional male characteristics, of a tough, alpha-male figure who is always in control and unapologetic about his beliefs and opinions. He also advocates that males have a strong mindset, work hard, and forge a path for themselves — all the things that can be attractive to those who value masculinity and toughness.
2. He promotes a message of self-improvement and personal success, which naturally appeal to people looking to better themselves. This success he shows off by displays of things impressionable young men are already led to believe represent success like mansions, tailored suits, expensive accessories, fast cars, private jets, and being in the company of beautiful women.
3. He often speaks out against what he sees as political correctness and a “social justice warrior” culture, which can resonate with those who feel like they are being silenced or marginalized by mainstream society. This outspokenness and unapologetic persona in expressing strong opinions, often in a confrontational manner, is appealing to some people who feel that their own views are not represented in mainstream discourse.
4. He expresses controversial views on topics like race and gender, which fortunately, or unfortunately, attracts that certain segment of the population that feels disenfranchised or unheard in the mainstream discourse. For instance, his views on masculinity and traditional gender roles have him speaking out against what he sees as a culture that devalues traditional masculine traits and has advocated for men to be more assertive and dominant in their relationships and interactions with others. Men who feel marginalized or emasculated by mainstream culture may be drawn to these ideas.

Who are his main followers?

In looking at why Tate’s seemingly traditional and outdated views about what a relationship should look like appeal to young white men in this day and age, Professor Robert Lawson of Birmingham City University, states that the answer to why Tate’s articulation of masculinity is appealing to some can be found in Michael Kimmel’s idea of “aggrieved entitlement”- basically, over the course of the last few decades the world has changed in a way that has decentered primarily young, white men, and they’ve moved from the center of society to the margins of society; then Tate is now here saying, no! “you’re important, you’re needed, and your masculinity is needed to fight against all of the changes that are happening in the world.” What he appears to be doing essentially, is recentering young white men in an obvious and explicit way.

However, Tate’s brand isn’t actually new, as Lawson traces it back to the crisis of masculinity discourses of the 70s and 80s through the men’s movement led by people like Robert Bly. A movement that saw men reconnecting with their masculinity as a way of fixing the world. Tate, he adds, is “only another entry in a long line of other men who have done something similar”.

Caveat for ALL men

Such views and behavior only serve to promote toxic masculinity (a label Tate proudly wears), racism, and misogyny. It’s important to approach any public figure with a critical eye and consider the potential impact their messages and actions may have on society as a whole.

True, some may find his persona simply entertaining, but there is a worrying number of young impressionable men who find his brand appealing and are genuinely attracted to these controversial views. What is important to remember is that his views do not represent the views of all white men and that promoting harmful or discriminatory attitudes can have serious consequences for individuals and society at large.

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