[PurpleBoxDragon]

>In other words, incels are right to see themselves as part of a novel and fairly extreme change in our society's sexual behavior, with a growing share of sexless young men.

While a lot of it, including the very name, revolves around sex, I think it is important to consider the lack of emotional intimacy such relationships provide and if there is any correlation between lack of any romantic partner ships and lack of close friendships. Completely lacking both would indicate a very isolated individual, which isn't good for mental health.

Also, most the data used looked at no sex within the last year which is quite different from never having had sex. At least in the part of society I'm familiar with, there is a massive difference in social status between a guy who just has bad luck dating, and someone with the label of virgin (especially once you leave young adulthood).

[mercer]

> While a lot of it, including the very name, revolves around sex, I think it is important to consider the lack of emotional intimacy such relationships provide and if there is any correlation between lack of any romantic partner ships and lack of close friendships. Completely lacking both would indicate a very isolated individual, which isn't good for mental health.

From what I know of the incel 'community', it really is less about 'just' sex, and pretty much always about intimacy in a broader sense. Furthermore, while I don't know if this applies to most 'incels', it often does seem to be much broader kind of loneliness than just a lack of intimacy with the other sex.

I suppose that shouldn't really be surprising, as I know plenty of 'involuntarily celibate men' who are otherwise relatively happy with all sorts of friendships and communities, and have no need/desire to join a community centered around that celibacy.