How do far-right youth groups reshape ideas about gender—and why are these narratives increasingly entering the mainstream across Europe?
YOU-DARE is a groundbreaking research project exploring how far-right youth groups and leaders shape gender norms—and how these ideas are becoming mainstream—across eight countries (Denmark, Spain, UK, France, Hungary, Italy, Romania, and Sweden). By taking an intersectional approach, we go beyond simplistic views of far-right gender beliefs to reveal their complexities, from hyper-masculine and anti-feminist narratives to paradoxical endorsements of gender equality in anti immigration rhetoric. Focusing on youth, an often-overlooked demographic in far-right studies, we examine how gender influences their political identities and activism. We also analyse emerging far right leadership, including local organisers and online influencers, to understand their growing influence. Importantly, we assess how these gendered ideologies impact democracy by shaping policy debates and public discourse. YOU-DARE brings methodological and policy innovation by using qualitative research, mapping online gender controversies, and fostering a transnational network of researchers, activists, and stakeholders. To drive real-world change, we are launching a Policy Lab to develop and implement solutions that counter the appeal of far-right gender narratives among young people—ultimately protecting democratic values.
Participants incl. CALDISS:
- Susi Meret, Department of Society and Politics, meret@society.aau.dk
- Simon Ullrich, Department of Society and Politics, simonu@society.aau.dk
- Kristian Gade Kjelmann, CALDISS (The Faculty of Social Sciences and Humanities), kgk@adm.aau.dk
- Matias Kokholm Appel, CALDISS (The Faculty of Social Sciences and Humanities), mkap@adm.aau.dk
- Josefine Marianne Christensen, CALDISS (The Faculty of Social Scences and Humanities), josmarchr@adm.aau.dk
https://github.com/CALDISS-AAU/RP_YOU-DARE https://github.com/CALDISS-AAU/YOU-DARE_scrapers
