Commentary: Netflix’s Adolescence captures the guilt fathers often carry

PART MOTIVATION, PART RAGE

If you haven’t had the misfortune of stumbling into it, the manosphere is a sprawling corner of the internet where masculinity is endlessly debated, defended, and more often than not, distorted.

It’s part motivational speech, part rage-fuelled group chat. You’ll find self-styled life coaches, dating experts, finance bros and ex-MMA types all claiming to offer the one true path to becoming a “real man”.

On the surface, the manosphere presents itself as a path to self-improvement. But dig a little deeper, and you’ll find a world view built on hierarchy, fear and a deep suspicion of anything resembling vulnerability. It’s a space where emotions are weaknesses, and women are either threats or trophies.

The most dangerous thing about the manosphere isn’t just what it says – it’s how it feels. It offers boys who are confused, anxious or lonely a sense of control. It gives them certainty. And in the age of algorithmic overstimulation, certainty sells.

To a teenage boy, the world can feel like a confusing place, and when you have someone online speaking with such conviction, it can be compelling. It’s a scary thought, but 13-year-old me might have nodded along with some of it.

What makes that thought scarier is that even at 45, I’m still figuring things out. You’re trying to raise a kind, decent and resilient son while quietly nursing your own doubts and dealing with your own “daddy issues”.