With the likes of Andrew Tate and Fresh and Fit pulling in extreme numbers on platforms such as TikTok, a subgenre has also started to appear. Young men have started to take it upon themselves to post their own TikToks, defending women's rights. This might sound productive and wholesome from the outset, but the reality is a performative unhelpful "feminism" that places males at the forefront of the conversation. A movement that, when straying away from the liberal definitions, essentially boils down to "women's liberation" should not be cantering men who are using a social movement for views and money.

Furthermore, many of the men who have been gaining recognition from their content, have been found to be problematic and predatory. So, I explore what these feminist thirst traps are and why are they damaging?

What are thirst traps?

Thirst traps are essentially an umbrella term given to content posted on social media with the intention of it gaining interest. Predominately, this attention is positive feedback and mainly romantic or sexual. The most common thirst traps are selfies showcasing somebody's good looks or body or even fashion sense.

However, a new more sinister form of thirst trap has made its way into our lives. TikTok has presented an eerier type of thirst trap – the pick-me. Now, this works both ways, with many women posting anti-feminist trad wife type of content and many men posting feminist content. Arguably, the former is still a victim of the patriarchy – these women put men on a pedestal and limit their freedoms as a result. The latter exploits a movement by regurgitating basic liberal feminist points, all for attention from women.

I should mention that these feminist thirst traps are in no way as damaging as the content of overt misogynists. Hypothetically a world in which men were trying to impress women by repeating talking points from basic feminist literature is much better than a world filled with men saying are subhuman.

It's also important to note that women's thirst traps are predominately begrudged and derided, while men's are applauded and celebrated. Take the women Twitch streamers who were subject to unnecessary hate for sitting in a hot tub – a fate men are not subject to in the same way.

The feminist thirst traps

There is a big difference between men earnestly attempting to spread the word about women's liberation and the thirst traps referenced. For example, the likes of Hasan Piker reiterating important political and sociological points regarding abortion rights on a podcast is not in the same category as a man copying women's work in a 5-second TikTok.

The three accounts that jump to mind are Daz Black who later was accused of grooming a 13-year-old girl. Jo Robe was also accused of being a predator. Lastly, TurtleNeckEmo was recently accused of abusing his ex-girlfriends. They all made/make feminist content, without practising it in real life. They essentially used feminism as a self-indulgent thirst trap to get women's validation whilst not practising it in their own life.

Why is this a bad thing?

The self-proclaimed male feminists that make feminism their "brand" so to speak are not doing the right thing, they are performing for admiration. It's a capitalistic power-move, intended to gain influence, money, and women. These men, even the left-wing ones, see women as objects in a different way – more as stepping stones in their careers. They care more about the recognition than making a change, posing the question: do these men want to change because if that change came about, they would essentially be out of a job?

Their basic teachings of feminism can come across as patronising and counter-productive. In a world where a man's voice is automatically louder, wouldn't the most "feminist" of men pass the microphone to more marginalised communities? Women don't need men to speak for them, we need to be liberated enough to be listened to on our own accord. Being free from the patriarchal shackles means being free to express our own opinions and fight our own battle. While we value men who stand for women's liberation, they don't need to be the figureheads.

The truth is, the patriarchy doesn't absolve men that may have genuine, good intentions, either. No amount of feminist research will make them exempt from the fact that they perpetuate the oppression of women. They benefit from a system that upholds male dominance, thus, are culpable for the subordination of women that goes hand in hand with it.

Men can be feminists, and good ones at that. Feminism just shouldn't cater to men. Over the years, feminism has been adapted in ways to make it more palatable for men, being defined as "the equality of the sexes", with trademarks like "women can do whatever men can do". Honestly, this caused setbacks to the women's liberation movement.

Feminists, like myself, who call for the upheaval of the male monopoly and patriarchal status quo are labelled as misandrists. We get bastardised as ugly, lonely, desperate women calling for the genocide of men. So, imagine our frustration when men get praised for repeating rudimentary liberal feminist talking points.

The real allies are the men who are neither threatened by feminism nor capitalise from it. Feminism is not a mask they can hide under to ensure that they don't do any of the uncomfortable work behind the scenes. I have met men who are sincere and helpful feminists, who are willing to give up the unfair power balance that they have inherited. It may come as no surprise that they are not the ones posting thirst traps on TikTok telling young boys to not call women bitches.

My final note is just to beware of the male feminists of social media, who have seemingly got a lot of followers just from, in essence, stating women are people.