Behind the Witch-Hunting on China’s New Media Platforms: Binary Gender Conflicts Brought about by the Spread of Neoliberalism

Abstract

With the frequent occurrence of “online witch-hunting” incidents on Chinese social media platforms, the issue of binary gender conflicts has received widespread attention, but there is still a gap in the analysis of the impact of neoliberalism on binary gender conflicts. This article analyzes and concludes that neoliberalism has led to the distortion of traditional Chinese concepts and family structure. At the same time, with the development of digital platforms, gender responsibilities have shifted. The dual effects of these two have exacerbated gender conflicts and deepened gender dilemmas. Based on this, this article proposes some suggestions to eliminate binary gender conflicts at the individual, media, and national levels: individuals should face up to the redistribution of gender responsibilities. The media should refuse to promote gender opposition. The state should establish relevant laws. Individuals, media and the state should work together to eliminate gender opposition on the Internet and create a more harmonious online environment.