Why Are Young Women Radicalising? Claire Lehmann Explains

In this video essay, Quillette founder Claire Lehmann explores the global rise in political radicalisation among young women. Drawing on recent data, psychological research, and cultural trends, she examines how ideological movements, institutions, and technology are shaping a new form of gender polarisation. Far from the simplistic narratives of empowerment or oppression, this video presents a more complex—and urgent—story about identity, agency, and modern activism. 00:00 – The global rise in female radicalisation 00:52 – Gallup data: Young women in the US are far more progressive than young men 01:47 – Why female activism is overlooked in protest movements 02:42 – The link between social media use and mental health decline in girls 04:57 – How algorithms amplify victimhood and political extremism 06:20 – Evolutionary psychology and gender-based social contagion 07:46 – The role of universities in spreading critical theory and division 08:41 – How tech platforms profit from the mental health crisis 09:24 – Replacing victimhood with agency: a better path forward 10:05 – Addressing gender polarisation through shared values and mutual understanding ----- Quillette is an Australian-based online magazine that focuses on long-form analysis and cultural commentary. It is politically non-partisan, but relies on reason, science, and humanism as its guiding values. Quillette was founded in 2015 by Australian writer Claire Lehmann. It is a platform for free thought and a space for open discussion and debate on a wide range of topics, including politics, culture, science, and technology. Quillette has gained attention for publishing articles and essays that challenge modern orthodoxy on a variety of topics, including gender and sexuality, race and identity politics, and free speech and censorship. --- Quillette's revenue comes from our readers. We are a grassroots organisation that relies on voluntary subscriptions and community membership as our primary revenue stream. Support Quillette by becoming a subscriber: https://quillette.com/#/portal/signup Or donate send us a one-off tip: https://quillette.com/#/portal/support We made our website using Ghost, a powerful app for new-media creators to publish, share, and grow a business around their content. It comes with modern tools to build a website, publish content, send newsletters & offer paid subscriptions to members. Try it here: https://ghost.org/?via=claire91