Men’s Grievances and Discontent? an Analysis of Digital Discourse on “Feminist Buffet” in Taiwan’s Manosphere

Online gender-based violence is a critical issue in Taiwan. We examine the discourse of misogyny in Taiwan’s digital space where men’s rights activists have coined the term "feminist buffet" to criticize alleged reverse gender oppression, accusing women of advocating gender equality only when it benefits them, without accepting corresponding responsibilities. They call feminists as sows, garbage, and retards. The prevalence of such hate speech online reflects the existence of male grievances and dissatisfaction in reality. Our study aims to explore the broader contexts of these discourses to further dialogues toward gender equality.

We analyze posts related to "Feminist Buffet" from Taiwan's largest anonymous forum, PTT, spanning 2019-2023. Through quantitative content analysis, we identify common themes and focal points such as perceived men’s oppression and women's responsibilities. Additionally, representative posts (such as those with significant numbers of replies and likes) were selected for qualitative discourse analysis to understand the cultural logic. We also recruited some men for in-depth interviews.

Our research findings indicate that men’s grievances focus on criticisms about women's expectations within intimate relationships, especially concerning financial obligations and accusations of sexual harassment. Complaints include fundamental issues in dating and marriage, such as financial distribution, division of household labor, and wives’ interactions with men’s families. At a broader, national level, concerns are raised about military service, declining birth rates, and women’s perceived lack of participation in roles related to reproduction and national defense. Further dissatisfaction is expressed about transgender issues, particularly in competitive sports and university housing.

These men feel pressured by economic responsibilities linked to the traditional breadwinner role, often viewing intimacy and marriage as exchanges requiring balanced contributions from both genders. Despite advocating for fair exchange, their arguments tend to lean on traditional gender roles, ultimately seeking to preserve a heteronormative patriarchy without fully considering women's autonomy.