Men can be victims too, says dumped Love Island star
LOVE Island has been warned by a charity to apply the same standards to women as men following accusations of ‘toxic femininity’ on the show.
It comes after contestant Martin Akinola complained that fellow islander Tanya Manhenga treated him badly and said that if the roles were reversed there would have been a ‘riot’.
He was left devastated after Ms Manhenga coupled up with him despite being in a relationship with another competitor, Shaq Muhammad. She later left him and went back to Mr Muhammad with the support of her female co-stars.
After being dumped from the ITV show, Mr Akinola, 27, said:
‘There’s a lot of double standards right now. If the roles were reversed there would have been a riot. I would have had so many complaints to Ofcom.’
Mr Muhammad and fellow contestant Will Young were also left in tears at their treatment by female contestants.
Yesterday, men’s mental health charity Mankind Initiative said the show had proven behaviours such as ‘manipulation and gaslighting’ create male as well as female victims.
They added: ‘The producers need to make sure they apply the same standards to the male contestants as they have been forced to in recent years for female contestants.’ The behav
‘Manipulating and gaslighting’
iour has been criticised by fans, with one female viewer tweeting: ‘Some of these women are toxic.’ Another wrote: ‘Toxic femininity at its finest.’
Male ‘misogyny and controlling behaviour’ was condemned in the previous series of the show, with Women’s Aid holding talks with ITV over its concerns. Ofcom said it was the most complained about show of the year.
The programme also previously faced questions over its duty of care following the deaths of two former contestants and presenter caroline Flack. last night ITV said contestants were trained in inclusive language and behaviour and creating safe spaces.