The term manosphere is a neologism derived from the English manosphere (literally, “men’s sphere”) or androsphere (from the Greek anḗr, andrós, ‘man’), which refers to a heterogeneous collection of websites, blogs, forums, and digital channels that promote a reactionary view of masculinity. This virtual space spreads misogynistic, male-dominant, and antifeminist ideologies and serves as a meeting point for discourses that advocate the restoration of traditional gender roles, based on the premise that men should maintain a dominant position over women and so-called “beta men.”
This informal network focuses on issues related to male identity and often combines extreme gender conservatism with an outright rejection of feminism. It is dominated by the figure of the “alpha male,” idealized as superior both physically and socially, in contrast to “beta men,” who are considered subordinate or weak. Common content includes alleged claims to “men’s rights” (in areas such as parenting or the law), support for subcultures like incels or MGTOW (Men Going Their Own Way), as well as advice on seduction and personal development aimed at becoming dominant males.
Members of these communities are known by names such as manospherians, and often identify as red pillers—a metaphorical reference drawn from the film The Matrix, indicating that they have “awakened” from a supposed feminist deception. Those who do not share this view are labeled blue pillers, meaning individuals who live deceived by “gender ideology.”
Part of the manosphere has been linked to the North American alt-right and to supremacist and misogynistic movements, particularly active among young people. In these spaces, a victimhood discourse proliferates, claiming that men are currently the true oppressed by a system that privileges women and feminism. This constructs a narrative that presents male domination as a natural and biological fact and directly attacks anything perceived as part of modern “gender ideology.”