Incel subculture: nature and criminological risks
Journal: BULLETIN OF THE KALININGRAD BRANCH OF THE SAINT-PETERSBURG UNIVERSITY OF THE MINISTRY OF INTERNAL AFFAIRS OF RUSSIA
№ 3
, 2025
Rubrics: CURRENT PROBLEMS OF CRIMINOLOGY
Authors:
1.
Voronezhskiy Institut MVD Rossii
(ad'yunktura, ad'yunkt instituta)
from 01.01.2022 to 01.01.2024
Voronezh Institute of the Ministry of Internal Affairs of the Russian Federation (postgraduate, postgraduate student)
graduate student from 01.01.2022 to 01.01.2025
Military Educational and Scientific Centre of the Air Force «Professor N.E. Zhukovsky and Y.A. Gagarin Air Force Academy»
Voronezh Institute of the Ministry of the Interior of the Russian Federation (postgraduate, postgraduate student)
graduate student from 01.01.2022 to 01.01.2025
Voronezh, Russian Federation
from 01.01.2022 to 01.01.2024
Voronezh Institute of the Ministry of Internal Affairs of the Russian Federation (postgraduate, postgraduate student)
graduate student from 01.01.2022 to 01.01.2025
Military Educational and Scientific Centre of the Air Force «Professor N.E. Zhukovsky and Y.A. Gagarin Air Force Academy»
Voronezh Institute of the Ministry of the Interior of the Russian Federation (postgraduate, postgraduate student)
graduate student from 01.01.2022 to 01.01.2025
Voronezh, Russian Federation
Type:
Article
Pages:
from 33
to 39
Status:
Published
Received:
28.07.2025
Accepted:
29.09.2025
Published:
29.09.2025
Language:
Russian
Keywords:
Incel, incel subculture, involuntary celibacy, criminological risks, misogyny, hatred of women, extremism, terrorism
Abstract (English):
Introduction. The incel subculture is a unique and relatively new social phenomenon that emerged in the Internet space in the late 20th - early 21st centuries. The article examines the phenomenon of this subculture, analyzes its essence, ideology, and potential criminological risks it generates. The relevance of the study conducted by the author of the article is due to the growing number of online communities that unite people who have difficulty establishing romantic and sexual relationships and preach misogynistic views, which can result in various manifestations of violence. Methods. The study used the methods of content analysis, analysis and synthesis, and other general and specific scientific methods. Results. The data obtained in the study demonstrate that the incel subculture is characterized by pronounced social maladjustment of its representatives, a distorted perception of gender roles, while the most radical incels share misogynistic views. A correlation has been found between activity in incel communities and an increased risk of committing hate crimes, including terrorist acts. The criminological risks associated with the incel subculture are identified: radicalization, propaganda of violence, and hate crimes. The need to develop effective prevention and counter-propaganda strategies aimed at reducing the influence of the incel subculture on society and preventing violent acts caused by adherence to its ideology is emphasized. Recommendations are offered for providing psychological assistance to individuals from the incel subculture prone to radicalization, as well as for monitoring and regulating online content that contributes to the spread of extremist ideologies.
Introduction. The incel subculture is a unique and relatively new social phenomenon that emerged in the Internet space in the late 20th - early 21st centuries. The article examines the phenomenon of this subculture, analyzes its essence, ideology, and potential criminological risks it generates. The relevance of the study conducted by the author of the article is due to the growing number of online communities that unite people who have difficulty establishing romantic and sexual relationships and preach misogynistic views, which can result in various manifestations of violence. Methods. The study used the methods of content analysis, analysis and synthesis, and other general and specific scientific methods. Results. The data obtained in the study demonstrate that the incel subculture is characterized by pronounced social maladjustment of its representatives, a distorted perception of gender roles, while the most radical incels share misogynistic views. A correlation has been found between activity in incel communities and an increased risk of committing hate crimes, including terrorist acts. The criminological risks associated with the incel subculture are identified: radicalization, propaganda of violence, and hate crimes. The need to develop effective prevention and counter-propaganda strategies aimed at reducing the influence of the incel subculture on society and preventing violent acts caused by adherence to its ideology is emphasized. Recommendations are offered for providing psychological assistance to individuals from the incel subculture prone to radicalization, as well as for monitoring and regulating online content that contributes to the spread of extremist ideologies.
Keywords:
Incel, incel subculture, involuntary celibacy, criminological risks, misogyny, hatred of women, extremism, terrorism
Incel, incel subculture, involuntary celibacy, criminological risks, misogyny, hatred of women, extremism, terrorism
