"At some point, your son may say he feels attacked for just being white or male. Don't roll your eyes, but also don't coddle him either. Extremist groups that are just a podcast away groom boys by telling them the lie that they're the real victims of feminism or diversity. That victim story is one of the earliest hooks turning isolation into blame. That's easy to weaponize. The best prevention is early conversation, teaching the difference between discomfort and oppression, and offering healthier narratives about belonging and fairness."
"If your son can't name or regulate his feelings, he's way more likely to turn rejection into rage. Teach him how to say, I feel lonely instead of girls are the problem. Feelings don't disappear just because they ignore them. They leak out as blame and turn into resentment and contempt. And then far worse."
Many young people, including straight white males, can be drawn into extremist online spaces through narratives that cast them as victims. Interrupting the victim story and offering healthier narratives about belonging and fairness reduces susceptibility to grooming. Teaching emotional literacy helps boys name and regulate feelings so rejection does not harden into rage, blame, or contempt. Modeling healthy masculinity counters 'man up' messaging and provides real-world sources of belonging. Early conversations and consistent guidance lower isolation and make online extremist messages less persuasive.
Read at Scary Mommy
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