Millennials and Generation Z: Men's Perspectives on Hashtag Feminism.

This study examines how Millennial and Generation Z men perceive hashtag feminism, a form of feminist activism conducted through social media using hashtags such as #MeToo, #HeForShe, and #HowIWillChange. Through interviews with 12 social media-using men born between 1981 and 2001, the research found that participants viewed hashtag feminism as raising awareness and promoting accountability for gender inequality but also criticized it for its often attacking tone and monolithic portrayal of men, which deterred their engagement. Men reported difficulty finding a place within hashtag feminism due to feelings of defensiveness and perceived exclusion, and many distinguished hashtag feminism from feminism more broadly, viewing the former as more extreme and less constructive. The study highlights the challenges posed by social media's structure and discourse style in fostering inclusive and productive conversations about gender equality among men.