Youth advocate and educator Daniel Principe is leading the charge against the alarming rise in misogyny in Australian teenagers. He’s committed to creating a meaningful breakthrough in their future. Intensely committed to his students, he communicates regularly with students and parents around the country. Combined, they address the chilling effects of the ‘manosphere’—an interconnected web of online communities that encourage extreme masculine beliefs. Principe’s observations lay bare a terrible truth. Through their work, they’re shining light on what little boys are watching and in many instances, voicing behind closed doors.
Principe emphasizes the importance of raising awareness among boys and men regarding the harmful behaviors that stem from misogynistic ideologies. He thinks greater accountability is key to fight these problems. Despite the challenges, Principe sees a glimmer of hope in the next generation, as many young people demonstrate a desire for healthier relationships.
In a recent interview, he noted that ‘manosphere’ content is getting more and more popularized online. This trend is further opening the floodgates for harmful and dangerous narratives to permeate regular conversations between teens. In addition, he raises the alarm about the growing interest among young men for provocateurs such as Andrew Tate. Yet, Principe contends that this admiration truly arises from a place of disorientation and inadequacy in these young men.
The Impact of Online Influences
Daniel Principe’s outreach efforts even extend to speaking to middle and high schoolers on understanding healthy relationships and the risk associated with negative behaviors connected to substance misuse. He utilizes interactive exercises, such as “Traffic Lights,” to help students distinguish between healthy and unhealthy dynamics in their interactions.
I don’t think we should be surprised if these attitudes then leak out in … what some boys do because that is the diet that they’ve been served up. It’s like what Amy Principe of the CTR said, underscoring the widespread impact of toxic online material. And he focuses in on the need for young people to be critical consumers. This critical eye goes a long way to inform their views on gender and women.
Principe’s emphasis touches something deeply important. Consequently, many boys become susceptible to the idea that they are “beta” or “less manly” when women do not return their interest. This negative culture only adds to the conditions that allow for abusive relationships to thrive.
“What are you talking about? Why would anyone want to be with someone like that?” – Jefferson’s sister
This normalisation of harmful, sexist attitudes towards women and girls is seen clearly in schools. Principe notes the troubling prevalence of rape jokes and threats among students, stating, “In every school and every postcode, rape jokes and rape threats are completely and utterly normalised.” This culture creates an environment in which violence against women is increasingly tolerated.
The Role of Advocacy in Education
As fellow educator Holly Cooper explains, “It’s the responsibility of the adults in teens’ lives to help them make better decisions when it comes to relationships. It’s a bitter irony, too, as she remembers her shock when she first learned that kids from such encouraging households were participating in this toxic crap. “I knew [these students’] parents, they had a good home life … I thought they would absolutely choose healthy relationships,” Cooper reflects.
Dr. Hannah Tonkin, a specialist in gender-based violence, echoes the call for action. She states, “These are all contributing to an environment where violence against women is more likely to be tolerated and more likely to occur.” Tonkin feels that educators and parents need to be more intentional about leading discussions on misogyny and its effects.
Principe’s advocacy work aims to close this gap by empowering boys to talk openly about their emotions and what they’re going through. He suggests that a lot of young men turn to these toxic ideologies when they’re vulnerable and lost and alienated. This feeling of being unheard pulls them into the orbit of dangerous charlatans who prey on their resentments.
“This narrative of victimhood or grievance can be quite appealing if you’re a young man who’s feeling disenfranchised or alienated.” – Dr. Hannah Tonkin
Understanding the hallmarks of toxic conduct is essential for educators and, by extension, students. As Principe explains, accountability is urgently needed from the federal level all the way down. He asks young boys to think about how they’re viewing women, and how they’re looking at women, and how that leads into bigger systemic things.
Promoting Positive Relationships
Danny’s work goes beyond just recognizing gaps — he’s outspoken in his efforts to encourage solutions. Through conversations about consent, respect, and healthy communication, he hopes to dismantle toxic stereotypes of masculinity, one teen at a time. Principe’s method creates a safe space for youth to express their emotions honestly without the fear of shaming.
He’s been careful to acknowledge the complexity of these issues, but as always, he’s optimistic about the future. “There’s often a narrative about men being under attack or feminism being to blame,” he says. But he thinks this framing does the work of shifting attention away from combating tangible harms in the real world spread by misogynistic forces.
We know that Principe’s determination to stop the dissemination of dangerous, misogynistic content rings true to countless educators and parents everywhere. Together we can push back firmly and effectively against hateful, toxic narratives, while reinforcing and building cultures of positive relationships among our young people.”
“Too many women and girls that I know that I love, that I’ve shared life with and been friends with, have been impacted by male violence and especially male sexual violence.” – Daniel Principe
