A Multi-Disciplinary Approach to Studying Involuntary Celibacy
Understanding Incels
Will be published approx. on 25. June 2026
Book
Hardback
248 pages
978-1-6669-6650-3 (ISBN)
Description
While public attention has often centered on the most visible and violent expressions of incel ideology, this volume offers a deeper analysis, moving beyond reductive narratives to explore the complex social, psychological, and communicative dimensions of inceldom.
Drawing on expertise from sociology, psychology, communication studies, and conflict resolution, contributors explore the historical development of incel ideology, the formation of incel identity, gendered aspects inceldom, the relationship between involuntary celibacy and violence, and the emergence of femcels and queer incel communities. The volume concludes by exploring avenues for disengagement from incel ideology, while offering concrete proposals for future research into the evolving dynamics of online radicalization and gendered alienation.
Drawing on expertise from sociology, psychology, communication studies, and conflict resolution, contributors explore the historical development of incel ideology, the formation of incel identity, gendered aspects inceldom, the relationship between involuntary celibacy and violence, and the emergence of femcels and queer incel communities. The volume concludes by exploring avenues for disengagement from incel ideology, while offering concrete proposals for future research into the evolving dynamics of online radicalization and gendered alienation.
Reviews / Votes
Incels constitute an underdiscussed group in academic settings. This collection of articles attempts to remedy this shortcoming. Particularly noteworthy is the multi-disciplinary orientation that is taken, thereby offering a broad lens on this topic. Indeed, the aim of this book is to provide a holistic and humanistic analysis. A key message is that incels, despite often being chastised and marginalized, deserve serious analysis and understanding. * John W. Murphy, Professor of Sociology, University of Miami, USA * This is a timely and essential contribution to our understanding of involuntary celibacy-one of the most misunderstood and consequential online subcultures of our era. Rather than pathologizing or othering incels, the volume offers a genuinely multidisciplinary and humanistic analysis that situates inceldom within broader technological, social, and political contexts. It not only deepens our understanding of incels' ideologies, experiences, and trajectories, but also illuminates their intersections with extremist movements, popular culture, and the wider crisis facing large numbers of boys and men in the digital era. * Luigi Esposito, Professor of Sociology and Criminology, Barry University, USA *More details
Language
English
Place of publication
United States
Publishing group
Bloomsbury Publishing Plc
Target group
College/higher education
Product notice
Laminated cover
Illustrations
12 bw figures, 21 tables
Dimensions
Height: 229 mm
Width: 153 mm
Thickness: 14 mm
Weight
503 gr
ISBN-13
978-1-6669-6650-3 (9781666966503)
Copyright in bibliographic data and cover images is held by Nielsen Book Services Limited or by the publishers or by their respective licensors: all rights reserved.
Schweitzer Classification
Other editions
Additional editions
Christian A. I. Schlaerth | Aaron M. Puhrmann | Laura L. Finley
A Multi-Disciplinary Approach to Studying Involuntary Celibacy
Understanding Incels
E-Book
05/2026
1st Edition
Bloomsbury Academic
€90.99
Available for download
Christian A. I. Schlaerth | Aaron M. Puhrmann | Laura L. Finley
A Multi-Disciplinary Approach to Studying Involuntary Celibacy
Understanding Incels
E-Book
05/2026
1st Edition
Bloomsbury Academic
€90.99
Available for download
Persons
Christian A. I. Schlaerth is Associate Professor of Sociology at Luther College, USA.
Aaron M. Puhrmann is Associate Professor of Sociology and Criminal Justice at Grand View University, USA.
Laura L. Finley is Professor of Sociology & Criminology at Barry University, USA.
Aaron M. Puhrmann is Associate Professor of Sociology and Criminal Justice at Grand View University, USA.
Laura L. Finley is Professor of Sociology & Criminology at Barry University, USA.
Content
Acknowledgments
Foreword
Prologue by Ryan Clark
Introduction by Christian A. I. Schlaerth and Aaron M. Puhrmann
Chapter 1: History, Background, and the Ideology of Involuntary Celibates by Christian A. I. Schlaerth
Chapter 2: Boys in Crisis: The Development of Incel Mindsets in Youth by Madison Turunen
Chapter 3: Incels, Gender, and Mass Shootings by Laura Finley
Chapter 4: Taking the "Black Pill": Anomie, Perceived Social Death, and the Incel Phenomenon Online by Aaron M. Puhrmann and Christian A. I. Schlaerth
Chapter 5: Unrequited Love Hurts: Rejection, Resentment, and Reconciliation in the Manosphere by Wim Laven
Chapter 6: Incels and Social Exchange Theory by Kassidy C. Elyea and Elaine A. Bossard
Chapter 7: An Empirical Assessment of Incel Radicalization and Political Extremism in the United States by Feodor Gostjev and Alex Ray
Chapter 8: Incels and Popular Culture by Laura Finley and Christian A. I. Schlaerth
Chapter 9: After the Echo Chamber: Exploring Radical Approaches to Understanding the Internet and Inceldom by Niall Campbell, Neil Vallely, and Lesley Procter
Chapter 10: Females Can Be Incels? Examining the Femcel Movement by Laura Finley
Chapter 11: Queering Incel Subculture by Madison Turunen
Chapter 12: (Un)Forgiveness in the Manosphere: Navigating Anger and Resentment in Incel Culture by Wim Laven
Conclusion by Laura Finley
Index
About the Editors
About the Contributors
Foreword
Prologue by Ryan Clark
Introduction by Christian A. I. Schlaerth and Aaron M. Puhrmann
Chapter 1: History, Background, and the Ideology of Involuntary Celibates by Christian A. I. Schlaerth
Chapter 2: Boys in Crisis: The Development of Incel Mindsets in Youth by Madison Turunen
Chapter 3: Incels, Gender, and Mass Shootings by Laura Finley
Chapter 4: Taking the "Black Pill": Anomie, Perceived Social Death, and the Incel Phenomenon Online by Aaron M. Puhrmann and Christian A. I. Schlaerth
Chapter 5: Unrequited Love Hurts: Rejection, Resentment, and Reconciliation in the Manosphere by Wim Laven
Chapter 6: Incels and Social Exchange Theory by Kassidy C. Elyea and Elaine A. Bossard
Chapter 7: An Empirical Assessment of Incel Radicalization and Political Extremism in the United States by Feodor Gostjev and Alex Ray
Chapter 8: Incels and Popular Culture by Laura Finley and Christian A. I. Schlaerth
Chapter 9: After the Echo Chamber: Exploring Radical Approaches to Understanding the Internet and Inceldom by Niall Campbell, Neil Vallely, and Lesley Procter
Chapter 10: Females Can Be Incels? Examining the Femcel Movement by Laura Finley
Chapter 11: Queering Incel Subculture by Madison Turunen
Chapter 12: (Un)Forgiveness in the Manosphere: Navigating Anger and Resentment in Incel Culture by Wim Laven
Conclusion by Laura Finley
Index
About the Editors
About the Contributors