From Status to Identity: Unveiling the ‘Othered’ Adult White Male Involuntary Celibates (Incels) on YouTube

This study aimed to explore how certain marginalized adult white male incels choose to present themselves to a global YouTube audience and address the misunderstandings about them perpetuated by often negative media portrayals. This qualitative case study, conducted on July 24, 2024, analyzed four purposively-sampled YouTube confessionals from adult white male incels of varying ethnicities and ages, published between April 13, 2022, and May 13, 2024. The study included: “YouTuber 1†(70 subscribers, 2,946 views, 16.5 minutes long, 62 likes), “YouTuber 2†(1,440 subscribers, 5,321 views, 17 minutes long, 145 likes), “YouTuber 3†(893 subscribers, 20,663 views, 8 minutes long, 552 likes), and “YouTuber 4†(2,040 subscribers, 9,933 views, 47 minutes long, 193 likes). These videos were selected for their confessional-style content. They were transcribed using a YouTube transcribing tool and analyzed thematically, following Bantugan’s (2024) approach to studying males sharing on YouTube about their social marginalization. Incels often experience profound social isolation and rejection, which significantly impacts their responses to intimacy issues. Many report feeling less socially and sexually successful compared to others, which leads to feelings of inadequacy. Judgments based on appearance further exacerbate these difficulties, as a lack of validation can harm self-esteem and hinder social and romantic opportunities. Mental health issues, such as autism and borderline personality disorder, contribute to these struggles, with mental health conditions often linked to challenges in social interactions. Perceptions of fundamental gender differences also influence their interactions and expectations with the opposite sex. Despair and a nihilistic outlook are common, leading to a belief that their situation is unchangeable and fostering maladaptive coping strategies. Additionally, a deep-seated desire for recognition and understanding underscores their need for acceptance, with feelings of being misunderstood worsening negative emotional outcomes.