Analysis of online anti-feminist discourse from the far right

Antifeminism manifests itself through discourses and political practices aimed at countering the emancipatory advances of feminism. These discourses take multiple forms, and antifeminist movements are structured into various, more or less contemporary branches, such as masculinism. Through social media, these ideologies find fertile ground for their dissemination, particularly via public figures and influencers. Digital platforms such as YouTube play a central role in this dynamic by offering long-form content formats that allow for the development of detailed arguments and a staging conducive to the construction of a public identity. These formats also facilitate the spread of ideological content to diverse audiences, including young people and non-activist or politically disengaged publics.

This research focuses on two emblematic figures of this movement in France, both originating from far-right circles: Julien Rochedy, former director of the youth wing of the National Front, and Thaïs d’Escufon, former spokesperson for Génération Identitaire. In the videos of these two YouTubers, we examine their antifeminist discourses through four theoretical dimensions identified in the literature: (1) the challenge to women's sexual autonomy, (2) gender dualism, (3) traditionalism, and (4) the irreversibility of feminism. Through this analysis, our research question is: How are antifeminist discourses constructed and structured in the digital space, and what rhetorical and ideological strategies are employed?

First, we will contextualize antifeminism by detailing the four core theoretical dimensions of these discourses. We will then present the methodology of our study, justifying our choice of YouTubers and explaining why YouTube constitutes a privileged site for analyzing these discourses. We will cross-reference insights from the literature with empirical data drawn from the videos in order to identify, in each section, the rhetorical strategies and ideological elements mobilized. Finally, we will offer a reflection on the broader implications of these discourses and on the role of digital platforms in the reconfiguration of ideological spaces, particularly regarding the rise and diffusion of antifeminist narratives.