Nihilism and Social Polarization among Young Men: Understanding in Order to Better Restore Hope

Abstract:

In recent years, there has been a marked rise in polarized discourses among young people, particularly among young men, within a broader social context characterized by a growing loss of hope for the future. This lunchtime conference offers an interpretation of this phenomenon by situating it within a wider climate of social nihilism. Drawing on this framework, the presentation will examine an example of an ideological trajectory to illustrate how the loss of hope in the future may be “metabolized” differently among certain young men, notably through incel ideologies such as the “blackpill.” These trajectories may lead to forms of self-directed harm (e.g., social withdrawal, decline, suicidal ideation) as well as to forms of outward-directed violence. Finally, the conference will outline potential avenues for intervention, emphasizing that this is a broad সামাজিক phenomenon requiring ecosystemic responses rather than strictly individual ones.

Biographies:

Traian Toma
Traian Toma is a doctoral candidate in criminology and a research assistant with the Canadian Practitioners Network for the Prevention of Violent Extremism. His research focuses on the role of grievance in violent extremism, as well as on violent nihilistic ideologies.

Sébastien Brouillette-Alarie
Sébastien Brouillette-Alarie (Ph.D.) works in the fields of violent extremism prevention, risk assessment, the prevention of sexual violence, and fundamental research in psychology and criminology.