Lorna Slater, Lothian MSP and Scottish Greens co-leader writes her monthly column for Midlothian View.
Misogyny is on the rise, and its impacts are being felt in every corner of Scotland. From our schools and streets to our screens, women and girls are facing an alarming resurgence of prejudice and hatred.
This is not just a women’s issue; it is a societal crisis. If we are serious about building a safer, fairer country, we must all, particularly men, stand up and take action.
The prominence of Netflix’s new series Adolescence has brought these issues into the spotlight this week. It has sparked overdue and important conversations about how young men are being radicalised by toxic online influencers.
It shows the very real dangers faced by boys growing up in a digital age where misogyny is packaged as entertainment and empowerment – and how it can be going on under all of our noses without anyone noticing until it’s too late.
Adolescence makes it painfully clear: we need to act now.
We are witnessing a dangerous culture taking hold, where outdated patriarchal ideas are dressed up as ‘self-improvement.’ Boys are told they must be ‘alphas,’ dominating others to achieve status and respect. Success, they are told, comes at the expense of compassion. It’s a lie. And it’s harming both men and women.
Being a parent to teenagers in this modern age must be terrifying. The ability for children to step away from the screen, the adverts and the influencers and relax into nature, a book or family time feels like an impossible challenge.
Understanding the term “Influencer” is vitally important in identifying what is changing in kids’ formative years now. When I was a teenager, I would have had posters on my wall from magazines and the influence of those I admired would have been limited to the occasional article or interview. Now, influencer is a full-time job with hundreds of hours of video, audio and photos uploaded for mass consumption every week.
The role models young men are being exposed to are dangerous. They peddle falsehoods and dangerous opinions. They create a world where women are viewed as less-than, where their safety, dignity, and equality are constantly undermined.
It doesn’t have to be this way.
We need men to be part of the solution. Boys and young men won’t always listen to women asking for equality—but they will listen to their fathers, brothers, grandads, teachers and friends. Perhaps one of Adolescence’s biggest takeaways.
It’s time for more men to step up, not just when it affects their loved ones, but because it’s the right thing to do.
This isn’t about blame. It’s about building a Scotland where success means being kind and fair. A Scotland where men don’t need to prove their worth through violence or dominance. A Scotland where women and girls are safe, valued, and equal.
This View has been written by Yatin Phalke the founder of WeeBe.Org.
In my quest for deeper understanding and meaning of Loneliness and Aloneness, I recently came across the insightful work of Todd Perelmuter in his two-part documentary “Aloneness to Oneness.” This beautifully narrated exploration of non-duality and interconnectedness resonated deeply, shedding light on the profound realization that we are never truly alone—we are part of something far greater. Which gave me a new perspective to look at oneself and find “Oneness”.
Through his reflections, Perelmuter challenges the illusion of separation that many of us experience and guides us toward embracing oneness. His words remind us that “we are not merely a tiny, insignificant part of this universe… we are the universe.” This perspective shift has the power to transform our relationships, our sense of purpose, and ultimately, our lives.
The Illusion of Separation
Loneliness is a common experience in modern society. The pressures of individual success, competition, and digital distractions often leave us feeling disconnected from ourselves and others. However, as Perelmuter highlights, “We are not separate people with separate thoughts. We are one life.”
The documentary invites us to see beyond this illusion. Science and spirituality alike tell us that everything in the universe is interconnected. The air we breathe, the energy we share, and the emotions we feel are all part of a greater whole. By recognising this, we shift our perception from isolation to unity.
Embracing Oneness: A Shift in Perspective
The journey from aloneness to oneness begins with an awareness that we are not meant to be solitary islands—we are meant to grow together. As Perelmuter wisely states, “Like a tree, we humans aren’t meant to reach the sun. The point is simply to grow.”
When we start seeing ourselves as part of an intricate web of life, our interactions become richer, our purpose clearer, and our experiences more meaningful. The transition requires conscious effort, but the rewards—inner peace, connection, and fulfillment—are immeasurable.
Cultivating Deeper Connections
To integrate this wisdom into our lives, we can take active steps toward fostering deeper connections. Here’s how:
1. Connect with Yourself First
True connection begins internally. Taking time for self-reflection and stillness allows us to understand ourselves better. “Stillness is everything,” says Perelmuter, emphasizing that silence holds the answers we seek.
2. Recognise the Reflection in Others
When we view others as extensions of ourselves, we cultivate empathy and understanding. “When you realize that everywhere you look is you looking back at yourself… we realize we are alone,” he says. But this aloneness is not isolation—it is unity.
3. Be Present in the Moment
The modern world tempts us to rush through life, but true connection happens when we slow down. “When a tree becomes the word ‘tree,’ we reduce it down to four little letters and we forget to admire it.” Let’s practice seeing beyond words and truly experiencing life.
4. Create and Share Memories
Life is about shared experiences. We are here to create and cherish moments together. As Perelmuter states, “This is a universal, and available to everyone, way of living.” The more we share, the richer our collective journey becomes.
5. Give Without Expectation
Acts of kindness, generosity, and compassion deepen our connection to others. “When you’re blessed, you pass it on to someone else because you know you are only blessed because someone helped show you the way.” This cycle of giving binds us all in an unbreakable thread of oneness.
WeeBe.Org: A Vision of Meaningful Connection
This aligns with the vision for us at WeeBe.Org. We are on a quest to create a safe space for one to explore meaningful connections, truly find oneself, and forget they ever felt lonely. We believe that by embracing our true nature and recognizing the oneness in all of us, we can build a world where everyone feels seen, valued, and connected. Our mission is to foster spaces where people can share, grow, and experience life together, leaving behind the illusion of separation.
If you want to get involved in shaping the future of the platform please get in touch weebe.org/get-involved/
Midlothian MP, Kirsty McNeill, writes her monthly column for Midlothian View.
Since my last update to you, my team and I have been hard at work running our always-on advice service. We’ve handled nearly 2,500 cases since the election where folk have been in touch asking for support, including 384 cases in January alone. Last month, we helped people on issues ranging from supporting access to specialist debt support to raising concerns over the need for improved gritting in Penicuik and Roslin.
We’ve also been listening to the stories of some of the 120,000 people on an NHS Lothian waitlist, learning about the best ways I can help to deliver real change for those who are struggling to access the healthcare and mental health services they need.
It’s my job to fight for what matters to you most, so I’m writing to NHS Lothian to raise the issues we’re facing here in Midlothian. I will also write to the Scottish Government to call for increased funding for our public services, following the record financial settlement it received in the UK budget – an additional £1.5 billion last year and £3.4 billion this year. Please drop me an email at kirsty.mcneill.mp@parliament.uk if there’s something you’d like me to raise in these letters or if you’d like to be kept up to date with this work.
In Parliament, our Labour Government has been continuing the hard work of change, focused on creating an economy which works for working people. We’re already seeing some indication that things are starting to turn around, with the IMF recently upgrading the UK’s growth forecasts, crediting the decisions made in the Chancellor’s autumn budget.
I’m working hard to make sure the benefits of growth are felt by folk here in Midlothian, including by discussing local growth opportunities with the Midlothian Chamber of Commerce and meeting new businesses to see how I can support them to get set up in the constituency.
I’m also resolutely focused on making sure that families see real benefits in their finances – you can hear more about this commitment in my recent appearance on BBC Debate Night. Key to this is our work ushering in the biggest upgrade to workers’ rights in a generation. This will scrap zero hours contracts, end fire and rehire and introduce a real living wage which will see more than one in twenty workers in Midlothian receiving a pay rise this April, with full-time workers seeing an uplift of around £1,400 a year.
There’s a lot being done, and a lot more to do this coming year. I appreciate your patience, support and trust as I work to deliver change for Midlothian.
