Masculinism and Feminism | Interview: Helen Lewis

Helen Lewis, staff writer at The Atlantic, joins Jonah Goldberg to dissect the rise of 'masculinism'—a reactionary movement that frames feminism as a societal collapse, blaming women's empowerment for everything from declining male well-being to national decline. Lewis argues that while some concerns about young men’s struggles—like rising suicide rates, gambling addiction, and disengagement—are valid and deserve serious attention, they are being weaponized by a toxic blend of misogyny, performative edginess, and ideological extremism. She dismantles the idea that the 'great feminization' of society is a real threat, pointing out that women remain dramatically underrepresented in top political and corporate roles. The conversation reveals a deeper cultural crisis: both sides of the culture war have turned identity into a zero-sum game, where progress for one group is seen as loss for another. Lewis emphasizes that the real issue isn’t gender balance, but the erosion of institutions that once socialized men and women into shared civic life. She concludes that the most dangerous myth isn’t that feminism has gone too far—but that men are inherently incapable of being nurtured, disciplined, or emotionally intelligent without being 'emasculated.' The episode is a sharp, nuanced critique of how fear of change gets dressed up as tradition.