Revisiting Chopper Read reveals a time when the manosphere was on TV
If we go back a few decades earlier to the 1990s and early 2000s we find something much worse than the manosphere: the manosphere writ large as national culture.
In recent years, the world has witnessed a resurgence of regressive gender norms, reminiscent of an era long past. Influencers Andrew and Tristan Tate, under arrest in Miami on British charges of rape, trafficking for sexual exploitation, and indecent images of a child, embody this troubling trend. Pauline Hanson, a prominent political figure, has also normalized domestic violence, referring to family violence leave as "holiday leave."
Similarly, Chopper Read, a once-infamous criminal who became a beloved folk hero, promoted a toxic masculinity that included emotional repression and physical aggression. Both Tate brothers and Chopper Read grew up in abusive environments, embracing a model of masculinity that values physical power and intimate violence. Chopper's autobiography, once celebrated in Australia, contains numerous accounts of domestic abuse and racial hatred, reflecting the attitudes prevalent during his time.
The article emphasizes the importance of understanding the historical context of these behaviors, as they have roots in toxic forms of masculinity that continue to influence contemporary culture.
Written by urgent.news from ABC News AU's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
