Gaslighting, Virtue-Signaling, and Narcissism: The Manipulative Trident of Modern Feminism.
One of the social movements that most profoundly changed society during the 20th century was the feminist movement. Over the years, it has won widespread acclaim for its achievements in advancing gender equality, championing equal rights for women, and vehemently opposing patriarchal structures. In recent times, several feminists, as well as some of their critics, have grown increasingly concerned that the movement has turned toxic, intolerant, and exclusionary. This has led to the emergence of what some have termed—"toxic feminism" characterized by gaslighting, virtue-signaling, and narcissism. This article explores these manipulative tactics and their impact on the feminist movement. It further argues that they are antithetical to the values of feminism, and undermines its objectives.
What is gaslighting?
Gaslighting is a psychological manipulation tactic that involves making someone doubt their own perception of reality. In the context of feminism, gaslighting is often used to silence those who question certain feminist arguments or express opinions that are deemed problematic by feminist ideologues. One example of gaslighting is the pervasive belief that there is a "patriarchy" that oppresses women in all aspects of society, even though there is little evidence to support this claim.
Virtue-signaling — the second prong of the toxic trident.
It is another tactic that has become increasingly common among modern feminists. Virtue-signaling involves publicly expressing one’s moral superiority or commitment to a particular cause or ideology to gain social approval or acceptance. In the context of feminism, virtue-signaling is often used to shame or silence those who do not share the same views or values. For instance, some feminists may label anyone who opposes certain feminist policies or beliefs as sexist or misogynistic, regardless of the validity of their arguments.
Narcissism — the third prong of the manipulative trident of modern feminism.
Narcissism is characterized by excessive love or admiration of oneself, often at the expense of others. In the context of feminism, narcissistic feminists may prioritize their own interests over the interests of the wider feminist movement, using their position of influence to advance their own agenda rather than working towards the common good. One example of this is the tendency of some feminists to focus exclusively on issues that affect upper-middle-class white women, rather than addressing the concerns of women from marginalized communities.
These manipulative tactics have created a toxic culture within the feminist movement, where dissent and debate are discouraged, and conformity is rewarded. This has led to a polarization of the feminist movement, with many women feeling alienated from the movement due to its exclusivity and intolerance of different perspectives.
In today's world, multiple examples of the manipulative trident of modern feminism can be found in various aspects of society. In the media, for instance, feminist ideologues may attempt to silence dissent by using gaslighting tactics or labelling critics as misogynists. This can be seen in the recent controversy surrounding the publication of JK Rowling's essay, where feminists accused Rowling of transphobia for expressing her views on gender identity. Similar cases involve the labelling of key patriarchal figures such as Jordan Peterson and Andrew Tate as "Misogynists of the Highest Order"
In academia, feminist scholars may use virtue-signaling tactics to gain social approval or silence dissenting voices. This can be seen in the tendency of some feminist academics to label anyone who questions certain feminist theories or policies as — anti-feminist or regressive.
In politics, narcissistic feminists may prioritize their own interests over the interests of the wider feminist movement. This can be seen in the tendency of some feminist politicians to focus exclusively on issues that affect privileged women, rather than addressing the concerns of marginalized women.
Contemporary feminists engage in virtue signaling, questioning the justification for unequal pay between men and women yet refuse to put in the same amount of man-hours that men put in. They frequently mislead men into believing that feminists have nothing to do with their failures as women and that the patriarchal nature of society is to blame for them. The greatest bane of modern feminism is accountability. Feminism may return to its core values of honesty, inclusion, and oneness if current feminists can acknowledge that some errors are totally their fault and not the patriarchy’s fault, as they like to believe.
Conclusively, the manipulative trident of gaslighting, virtue-signaling, and narcissism has become a pervasive force within the modern feminist movement, creating a culture of intolerance, exclusivity, and divisiveness. This is antithetical to the values of feminism, which is meant to promote equality, diversity, and solidarity.
To address this issue, feminists must recognize the harmful effects of these manipulative tactics and work towards creating a more inclusive and tolerant movement. This requires a commitment to open and honest dialogue, where different perspectives are welcomed and respected. Feminists should also strive to acknowledge and address the concerns of women from marginalized communities, rather than focusing solely on the concerns of privileged women.
Ultimately, the future of feminism depends on its ability to embrace diversity, respect difference, and promote unity in diversity. Only then can it realize its transformative potential and achieve its goals of promoting gender equality and justice.
