Why We’re Missing the Bigger Picture in Radicalisation

I was watching Q&A a few weeks ago. You know, the show that’s filmed live across Australian cities, where a panel of experts fields questions from the audience. It’s a bit of a mixed bag—sometimes great, sometimes just chaotic.

But this episode caught my attention for a reason that’s been bugging me ever since.

The Blind Spot No One’s Talking About

During the discussion, one of the panelists suggested creating programs to discourage men from joining terrorist groups like ISIS and offering them support. I get it. The news is flooded with stories about young men being radicalised. In Australia, mainstream sites are constantly churning out articles about terrorism, especially when it comes to ISIS.

But here’s the problem: What about the women? What about communities? 

It’s not like women aren’t being targeted. There are plenty of reports about women from Australia and beyond joining ISIS. But you rarely hear about programs aimed at understanding or supporting them. It’s like there’s this unspoken assumption that only men fall victim to radicalization. That feels like a blind spot.

It’s Not Just About Men—Or Any One Group

The truth is, people from all genders, ages, and backgrounds are drawn to extremist groups for different reasons. Sure, disenfranchisement and the desire to belong are big factors, but there’s a lot more to it.

For some, it’s about ideology. For others, it’s coercion, financial incentives, or even family ties. Whatever the reason, ISIS has been disturbingly effective at tailoring their propaganda to exploit people’s vulnerabilities. And they’re not just targeting men.

Missing the Bigger Picture

When we focus only on men, or only on certain demographics, we’re missing the bigger picture. Are we really considering everyone who might be vulnerable to recruitment? Are we offering real alternatives—something that provides community, purpose, and belonging? Because from what I can see, the answer is still no.

Propaganda is designed to reach everyone. It’s not just aimed at young men. If we ignore how extremist groups attract women, older people, or those from different cultural or socioeconomic backgrounds, then our strategies will always fall short.

Accountability Starts With Us

It’s easy to point fingers at “the other”—the people joining extremist groups, the ones getting drawn into harmful ideologies. But how often do we stop and look at our own role in this? Are we creating environments where people feel seen, heard, and valued? Or are we too busy placing the blame elsewhere to recognize our own accountability in creating systems that leave people feeling isolated, angry, or ignored?

Radicalization doesn’t happen in a vacuum. It’s not just about the extremists “out there.” It’s about all of us. If our communities, institutions, and governments aren’t providing opportunities for people to feel connected and purposeful, then we’re part of the problem. We need to stop othering the issue and recognize our role in building societies that are resilient, inclusive, and empathetic.

We Need to Do Better

Radicalization is complex. Treating it like a “young men’s problem” or a “race problem” is just lazy. If we actually want to prevent people from being drawn into extremist ideologies, we need to acknowledge the different ways these groups operate and why people of all backgrounds are vulnerable.

We don’t need more wars. And we definitely don’t need young people feeling like they have to find conflict just to feel like they belong somewhere. What we need is a future where everyone has the chance to find meaning, connection, and purpose without turning to violence or extremism.

Note – this blog post was updated March 30, 2025. The original post was from April 16, 2015.