Recently, it came to light that men in certain professional groups were engaging in inappropriate and objectifying conversations about women in WhatsApp groups, and a similar language was being used among male high school students about female students, which drew strong reactions.
Evaluating how the concept of 'masculinity' is constructed in digital spaces and how it transforms into violent language, Sociologist Dr. Nihan Kalkandeler Özdin stated, “On one hand, we see the freedom to 'say anything' and a sense of impunity, while on the other hand, there's the unscrupulous commodification of another person's privacy. Expressions that objectify, demean, or belittle women become ordinary as they are repeated; as they become ordinary, they become unquestioned.”
Dr. Özdin noted that the real issue is how masculinity is taught, which behaviors are rewarded, and which silences are maintained. She said, “Masculinity needs to be redefined. We can focus on constructing a masculinity built not on power, but on responsibility; not on domination, but on equality; not on silence, but on confrontation. Otherwise, this crisis will continue to emerge in different real or virtual spaces and in different forms.”
Deputy Dean of the Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences, Dr. Lecturer Nihan Kalkandeler Özdin, evaluated the violence, bullying, and misogynistic language that has recently become visible, especially on digital platforms.
Masculinity is always perceived as a role that should not be shaken
Stating that recent cases, extending from school environments to professional groups and often becoming visible on digital platforms, point to a deviation that can harm society, Dr. Lecturer Nihan Kalkandeler Özdin said, “We can say that this situation raises a broad question about how masculinity is constructed, how it is learned, and how it is reproduced in digital spaces. It is no coincidence that masculinity is still largely defined by power, control, and sexual success today. For years, boys have been taught that the way to be valuable is to appear strong, to dominate, and to maintain emotional distance, which has made it difficult to associate masculinity with vulnerability, equality, or caregiving practices. Frankly, as long as masculinity is perceived as a role that should never be shaken, we move away from human relationships built on an egalitarian foundation. In some cases, masculinity can manifest in harsher, more exclusionary, and more dominant forms in an attempt to re-establish perceived lost power.”
Digital spaces make violence visible
Dr. Lecturer Nihan Kalkandeler Özdin also addressed the reasons why the misogynistic language produced in digital spaces finds such easy resonance in real life with the widespread use of the internet. She stated, “One of the most important reasons why the misogynistic language produced in digital spaces and digital subcultures, which have entered our lives with the widespread use of the internet, finds such easy resonance in real life is the sense of distance created by digital spaces. Closed groups, anonymity, and the discourse of 'jokes' lead to the blurring of boundaries. Over time, this language ceases to be merely an online form of expression and becomes part of daily relationships, normalizing it. On one hand, we are faced with the freedom to 'say anything, express without censorship' and a sense of impunity, while on the other hand, there is the unscrupulous commodification of another person's privacy. We can say that the language used plays a decisive role here. Expressions that objectify, demean, or belittle women become ordinary as they are repeated; as they become ordinary, they become unquestioned. This situation shows that the boundary between the digital space and real life is much more permeable than assumed.”
WhatsApp groups can turn into spaces where 'masculinity is affirmed'
Giving WhatsApp groups as an example, Dr. Lecturer Nihan Kalkandeler Özdin said that these spaces, which appear innocent at first glance, can over time transform into platforms where masculinity is collectively affirmed and reinforced. She explained, “To give an example via WhatsApp Groups; a group of people forming a WhatsApp group as a common sharing and communication platform may seem innocent, but the fact that the group in question is formed by men and the communication established produces a common language that objectifies women creates a separate area for inquiry. When such WhatsApp groups become spaces where masculinity is collectively affirmed, performed, and reinforced, we find ourselves in a social impasse. That is; the content shared in these groups often serves as a mechanism of belonging and approval among men. The language constructed through women strengthens the internal integrity of the group while reproducing a specific form of masculinity as normal and acceptable.”
Bullying becomes a language of belonging
Stating that bullying is also an outcome of this cultural ground, Dr. Lecturer Nihan Kalkandeler Özdin said, “We can say that bullying and violence becoming a language of belonging among boys is closely related to how emotions are managed. Boys often learn to suppress feelings of fear, vulnerability, or inadequacy rather than express them. Suppressed emotions, in turn, often manifest as anger and aggression. At this point, bullying is not just an individual behavior; it becomes a way of belonging to a group, being visible, and being accepted. Moreover, violence is learned and rewarded as a form of communication.”
Why is the problem noticed late?
Dr. Lecturer Nihan Kalkandeler Özdin also made evaluations regarding why such behaviors are not noticed in time, continuing as follows:
“If we ask why this situation is not noticed in time; in educational and work life practices, success, discipline, and performance are usually focused on, while relational and ethical dimensions can be pushed into the background. Definitions of 'successful student,' 'professional,' or 'exemplary employee' often remain limited to academic or professional competence. Masculinity, being accepted as an invisible norm, is not recognized as a problem area. This leads to early warning signs being overlooked and problems becoming visible only during crises. The fact that such behaviors mostly occur in closed male groups points to an issue related to culture rather than control. Closed spaces become venues where masculinity is reproduced without question, boundaries are tested, and often crossed. This situation shows that the problem is not limited to a few bad examples; similar behaviors can recur when certain conditions arise.”
Dr. Lecturer Nihan Kalkandeler Özdin also pointed out that merely defining this situation as a deviation or moral decay is not enough. She concluded her words by saying, “On the other hand, we can say that this issue is not only a women's problem but also a men's problem. Because this form of masculinity also isolates men and impoverishes them emotionally. The solution is possible by equipping boys from an early age with skills to recognize their emotions, learn boundaries, and build equal relationships. The real issue is how masculinity is taught, which behaviors are rewarded, and which silences are maintained. Masculinity needs to be redefined. We can focus on constructing a masculinity built not on power, but on responsibility; not on domination, but on equality; not on silence, but on confrontation. Otherwise, this crisis will continue to emerge in different real or virtual spaces and in different forms.”