The Folly of Being Tricked into Victimhood—How to Reclaim Agency and Build a Better Future

As a mother, I’ve always taught my children to think critically and never accept simplistic answers to complex problems. But today, we see so many young men being tricked into believing they’re victims of progress. I thought we could explore why this is a trap and how we can escape it.

Do we like being tricked? Of course not. No one does. But that’s exactly what’s happening when bad actors convince us that #Feminism , inclusion, or social progress is a threat. They’re tricking us into feeling helpless and angry—and that’s not healthy or empowering.

Here are the brutal facts:

When we’re told we’re a victim of progress, we’re being manipulated. Victimhood steals our agency and leaves us feeling powerless. Is that what we want for ourselves and our children, especially our sons? To be someone else’s pawn?

Being tricked into victimhood is the ultimate trap. It makes us blame others instead of asking:

Who benefits from this narrative?

Who is profiting from my anger?

Why do they want me to fight against others instead of working together for a better future?

Before we go down the rabbit hole, let's ask ourselves:

Who & what’s really behind these messages?

Why are they trying to make me fight against women, workers, minorities, or other men?

What are they hiding while I’m distracted by these “enemies”?

Here’s what the powerful don’t want us to know:

Kathryn Anne Edwards shows how over the last 40+ years neoliberalism and extreme capitalism have created today’s crisis with the wealth gap widening leaving millions struggling. Watch this video it explains a lot: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p4Tox4rt3ig

And yet, the powerful want us to believe it’s not their fault. Instead of addressing these real problems, those in power tell us we are to blame: Women. Immigrants. Minorities. It’s a distraction—a deliberate effort to keep us from seeing the truth.

Let’s talk about the evidence.

• The richest 1% have gained nearly twice as much wealth as the bottom 99% since the 1980s.
• Median worker wages have barely kept up with inflation, while CEO pay has increased by 1,460%!
• Inequality isn’t natural—it’s designed to benefit the wealthy.

What tactics are they using?

• Disinformation: They trick people, especially young men and boys into believing feminism, inclusion and equity are “threats” to their identity.
• Fearmongering: They frame progress as a “loss” rather than a gain for everyone.
• They weaponise gender and race.

This is not new. For centuries, powerful elites have used fear and misinformation to protect their wealth & control. They convince people to vote against their own interests, blaming “the other” for problems created by greed & inequality.

Who loses in the disinformation wars and rigid autocracies? Everyone except the very few at the top. Workers are exploited. Families face economic precarity. Young men and boys are fed lies that trap them in isolation and resentment. Women, minorities and marginalised groups are denied opportunities.

What’s at stake? When we allow fear and division to guide us, we lose:

• The innovation that comes from diverse ideas
• The economic growth that inclusion generates
• The humanity that connects us all

Simplistic answers to complex problems are always wrong:

• “Feminism's the problem” False. The real issue is systemic inequality
• "Immigrants are stealing jobs” False. The system is exploiting all workers
• “Progress destroys tradition” False. Progress creates opportunities for all.

Why am I telling you this?

Because as a mother of sons, I see what’s happening. I see how disinformation preys on the vulnerable. I see how it turns young men into pawns in someone else’s game. And I refuse to let that happen to my children—or yours.

This isn’t about blaming men or boys. It’s about empowering them.

Real strength is thinking for ourselves.

Real power is collaborating to solve problems.

Real agency is seeing through the lies & taking back control.

Real unity is creating healthy communities that value everyone

So what can we do? Educate ourselves: Learn how disinformation works. Look at the data behind the current state of inequality. Stay critical: Ask who benefits from divisive narratives. Work together: Collaboration—not conflict—is the path forward.

We need to reclaim our children from the lies. Those in power want to take us back to the dark ages, where inequality ruled & collaboration was impossible. They will do anything to maintain their grip—even destroy our beautiful children in the process. You can read this helpful article: https://www.behaviourworksaustralia.org/blog/fake-news-can-have-real-effects

Those in power feed our children lies, exploit their fears andisolate them with narratives framing equality as a threat. But we’re smarter than that. We can see through their game becc there is no Us vs Them. That’s a divisive construct created by a few who don’t care about the majority.

Let’s build a better way. Human-centred, inclusive societies are good for everyone—economically & socially. Working together we can solve real problems, create opportunities, and leave a better, healthier world for future generations.

The economic case for inclusive societies is undeniable:

• Gender equity could add $12 trillion to global GDP by 2025.
• Companies with diverse teams are 21% more profitable than those without.
• Societies that prioritise collaboration rank higher in health, happiness & resilience.

Remember those in power don’t want us to know this because they profit from division while the rest of us lose out. They profit and thrive on inequality & they manipulate the vulnerable—especially young men—into believing lies that maintain their power.

What kind of society do we want to leave for future generations?

One where opportunity is a privilege for the few or a right for all?

It’s time to fight for an equitable futur and for all.

We need leaders and politicians like Zoe Daniel MP who work for our community.

Enacting policies like:

1. Invest in sustainable industries

2. Make housing a right, not a privilege

3. Revitalise education

4. Implement fair work practices

5. Create a fairer playing field for SMEs

6. Close the wealth gap etc.

It's why I vote for Zoe Daniel and support Community Independents.

As parents, siblings, friends, business leaders and workers, it’s up to us.

We must counter the disinformation.

We must engage, communicate, and lead truthfully, vote wisely, educate ourselves and our children, and refuse to let bad actors destroy our families, communities, and collective futures.

Remember, we're the ones we've been waiting for.

Onward we press.