Gen Z men have regressive views on gender roles…but why?

have we gone full circle?

Credit: Thred

New survey data has found that almost one-third of Gen Z men believe a wife should ‘always obey her husband,’ among other traditional gender norms. Why are young men seemingly so regressive when it comes to equality?

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Are Gen Z men’s opinions on gender roles and women’s rights regressing?

New data is reigniting a debate that has been underway for several years, as Ipsos and the Global Institute for Women’s Leadership at King’s Business School, King’s College London, publish new data that suggests almost a third of Gen Z men believe ‘a wife should obey her husband.’

As part of the study, over 23,000 online adults across 29 countries were asked to agree or disagree with different statements on gender equality and norms.

One key finding was that ‘Gen Z men hold most traditional views on both women’s roles in society, as well as men.’ The data indicates that, across the board, Gen Z believe that men are discriminated against, are expected to do too much to support equality, and should be listened to at all times. They consistently appear to hold more regressive views than millennials, Gen X, or boomers.

This latest revelation follows a series of highly publicised studies that outline how Gen Z men and women are becoming increasingly politically and culturally divided. The Survey Center on American Life found that, in 2023, only 43% of Gen Z men considered themselves feminists, compared to 61% of Gen Z women. This divide was deeper than any other generation.

We’ve explored the topic before ourselves, having dived into the ‘manosphere’ and the growing conservatism among Gen Z for everything from religion to alcohol. It seems clear that there is growing animosity between young men and women, as both genders appear to be distancing themselves from one another and insisting that they’re worse off. Why is this happening and, crucially, can it be resolved?

Pinning down the exact factors that are pushing this trend is difficult.

It’s important to stress that not all Gen Z men hold these views and that progressive attitudes still exist in droves among young people. 68% of those surveyed said that achieving equality between men and women is ‘important to them personally,’ after all. Not everyone is a raging misogynist - but it doesn’t mean that the growing momentum behind regressive attitudes isn’t real or a societal concern.

Economic and social uncertainty has been cited as a potential cause for Gen Z’s tendency toward traditionalism. Journals on social politics from the past few years have suggested that increased instability can fuel a backlash toward progressive politics, as larger swathes of the general public begin to blame inclusivity and equality for their woes. We’ve seen this in both the UK and the US over the past decade, with politicians frequently declaring a ‘war on wokeness’ and dismantling diversity initiatives as a response to perceived, ‘intrusive’ liberalism.

Researchers note that a rocky job market and growing wealth inequality can make it more difficult for young men to achieve a ‘normal life,’ prompting a larger chunk of Gen Z to fall back on regressive gender roles and regard equality as a problem rather than a necessity. This can be seen in the data: 24% of Gen Z men surveyed in the King’s College London study agreed that women ‘should not appear too independent or self-sufficient,’ compared to 12% of baby boomers.

Yet, while many of us might be suffering economically, a barrage of influencers and right-wing grifters have found a lucrative market in ‘promoting masculinity’ and discrediting women for social media engagement.

Known as the ‘manosphere,’ this growing movement has rung alarm bells in mainstream media over the past year, with Netflix shows like ‘Adolescence’ and Louis Theroux’s latest documentary, ‘Inside the Manosphere,’ taking aim at the potential harm that this content is having on young men. TikTokers and YouTubers are finding an audience by posting increasingly controversial content that undermines feminism and places blame on women for the male loneliness epidemic.

These creators latch onto societal stresses that are largely unique to Gen Z for their own benefit: excessive pornography consumption, increasingly transactional and competitive dating markets, growing pressure on outward aesthetics and ‘looksmaxxing,’ and a reluctance to approach strangers for fear of a backlash. By amplifying the difficulties that young men feel and shifting the attention toward the so-called ‘failings’ of young women, these influencers heighten and encourage animosity.

The worst part? Most of them are only doing it for cash and notoriety.

It’s partly why Gen Z are experiencing a ‘sex recession,’ a phenomenon we focused on a few weeks ago. Data shows that young people are having less sex than their parents did and aren’t forming long-term romantic relationships. Dating app frustrations are widespread and largely universal, too, leaving many men and women alienated from one another as their ideals and values misalign.

Creating a solution is just as difficult as determining the cause, but some progress in a few areas appears to be happening, with public awareness campaigns as to the dangers of toxic male echo-chambers popping up in the past year. It’ll take a seismic shift to fully reverse the trend we’re seeing among young people, however, and until we can get a handle on the severity and scope, we should be mindful of the harm it could be causing.

In a world that facilitates and rewards figures like Trump, Epstein, and many others, it’s clear that misogyny remains systematic and widespread. Yet, despite these current, ongoing problems, Gen Z tends to disregard gender inequality more than anyone else. It’s symptomatic of wider generational issues, and we need more than a muddled Louis Theroux documentary to turn the tide.

See also:

• How McDonald’s marketing misfired

• Why brands are struggling to keep Gen Z spending

• Selling love to Gen Z in the ‘sex recession’ era

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🌍 Gen Z around the Web

the latest stories in youth culture and changing trends…

Gen Z is ‘giving up’ on homeownership, and it’s changing how they work (fortune)
What happens when an entire generation feels unable to progress in life and actually get a foot onto the property ladder? The data tells us that they tend to doomspend, approach finances in a nihilistic way, and ultimately ignore saving for the future as they deem it pointless. Gen Z are also seemingly making riskier investments and ignoring long-term plans in favour of short-term gratification. Can we blame them? Read more

Why Gen Z feel less happy even as society gets richer (pyschology today)
Research indicates that young people are less satisfied with their lives than older generations were at the same age. Loneliness and social isolation are considered public health epidemics, despite Gen Z having greater access to healthcare, information, and education than any generation before them. What’s causing this disconnect? This piece examines several key behavioural factors, including social comparison and our understanding of what it means to ‘live well.’ Read more

Millennial nostalgia that Gen Z finds unbearable (buzzfeed)
If you’re an older Gen Zer or young millennial, you may be curious as to which typically nostalgic behaviours wind up teenagers and twentysomethings the most. Whether it’s entire Facebook albums for post-party photos, saying the phrase ‘cool beans’ or rocking out to Nickelback, this list will probably have at least a few readers nostalgic. It got us, at the very least. Read more

Social media plays ‘huge role’ in promoting traditional gender views, say experts (bbc)
As we’ve explored in this newsletter, it looks as though Gen Z may be regressing when it comes to gender roles and standards. Researchers weigh in on what the cause might be, citing influencers, frustration at the economy and generational hardships, as well as attempting to feel a sense of control in a world that gives them very little agency. What might this mean for the future? Read more

Why are Gen Z romanticising the 9-5 job? (bazaar)
More young people are sharing their regular lives online as part of a trend that encourages a romanticism of the everyday. This piece by Bazaar argues that, by filming their lunch breaks and coffee runs, Gen Z are reclaiming their sanity and control amid endless burnout and corporate clutter. It may also serve as a way for normal employees who aren’t side-hustling or working independently to come together, boosting camaraderie and our overall happiness. Read more

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📚 Substack’ed picks of the Week

Our top Gen Z substack posts…

Everyone is really fucking thin. Am I allowed to say it? (club reticent)
The rise of Ozempic has ushered in a new era of celebrity thinness. Fashion brands and runway shows are largely abandoning the ‘plus size’ movement of last decade, leaving more of us feeling the pressure to be smaller, less expressive, and reduced versions of our true selves. This piece by @valerieestrina raises questions about this movement and considers the ramifications for women across the globe, both personally and societally. Read more

Gen Z has a love/hate relationship with AI (the bulwark)
How does a generation that is reliant on AI navigate its unregulated, chaotic disruption across industries and education? This post by @theupandup explores Gen Z’s conflicted feelings around AI, citing worries over general safety and critical thinking skills despite its widespread popularity. Are young people set to become the guinea pigs for new technology in much the same way as millennials were with social media? Read more

Are people really that surprised about Timothée Chalamat? (isabel unhinged)
The star of Marty Supreme, Timothée Chalamet, has caused a stir online this week after dismissing ballet and opera as ‘dying fields’ that he’s grateful not to be involved in. This piece by @isabelunhinged considers our parasocial relationship with celebrities and the expectations we project onto their public personas. A popular actor might not necessarily be the sensitive, high-brow artist we imagine them to be simply because their public roles demand it. The sooner we learn that, the better. Read more

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That’s all for this week! Make sure to subscribe for the latest on Gen Z and youth culture, and check out The Common Thred for a weekly roundup of the latest news, trends, and thought pieces.