Beyond the Core: Diffuse Anti-Gender and Perceived Male Reverse Discrimination Beliefs in Italy

Manifestations of gender backlash such as anti-genderism and the manosphere’s anti-feminism have been extensively studied, yet there is little data on their prevalence in the general population. This study examines the prevalence of anti-gender beliefs and perceived male reverse discrimination beliefs using data from a survey conducted in Italy in December 2024 and assesses whether these two expressions of gender backlash are correlated. The findings show an ideologically committed core of individuals surrounded by a larger share of others whose adherence to such views ranges from moderate to low, approaching complete rejection. Subgroup analyses further indicate that variation by gender and age is uneven, with some of the highest levels observed among younger and middle-aged men, and factor-analytic results indicate that perceived male reverse discrimination is closely connected to anti-gender beliefs. This suggests a diffuse, albeit moderate, belief landscape that could, under specific social conditions, such as biographical events of early and middle adulthood, lead individuals from the low-intensity belief margins toward the radicalized center.