Gen Z Men Exhibit More Traditional Marriage Views Than Older Generations
A significant global study has uncovered that Generation Z men hold notably more traditional views on marriage and gender roles compared to their Baby Boomer counterparts. The research, involving 23,000 participants across 29 countries, indicates a surprising reversal in generational attitudes toward marital dynamics.
Stark Generational Divides in Gender Role Perceptions
The findings reveal that almost one-third of Gen Z men (those born between 1997 and 2012) believe a wife should obey her husband, with a similar proportion agreeing that husbands should make important family decisions. This contrasts sharply with Baby Boomer men (born 1946-1964), among whom only 13% and 17% respectively endorse these traditional viewpoints.
Remarkably, Gen Z men are twice as likely as Baby Boomer men to hold these conventional perspectives on decision-making within marriage. Meanwhile, only 18% of Gen Z women agree that wives should always obey husbands, and a mere 6% of Baby Boomer women share this view.
Expert Concerns About Gender Equality Progress
The Hon Julia Gillard AC, Chair of the Global Institute for Women's Leadership at King's Business School, expressed concern about these findings. "It is troubling to see that attitudes towards gender equality are not more positive, particularly among young men," she stated. "Not only are many Gen Z men putting limiting expectations on women, they are also trapping themselves within restrictive gender norms. We need to ensure everyone is taken on the gender equality journey, with a clear understanding of why it benefits all of society."
Contradictory Attitudes and Social Media Influence
The survey, conducted by Ipsos UK and the Global Institute for Women's Leadership to mark International Women's Day 2026, revealed complex and sometimes contradictory attitudes. Nearly a quarter of Gen Z men agree that women should not appear too independent or self-sufficient, compared to just 15% of Gen Z women.
Despite these traditional leanings, Gen Z men were also the group most likely to believe that women with successful careers are more attractive to men, with 41% endorsing this view compared to 27% of Baby Boomers of both genders.
Professor Heejung Chung, Director of the Global Institute for Women's Leadership, pointed to social media's strong influence on young men. "Many male influencers, both in social media and politics, emphasise traditional gender roles in terms of what it means to be a man," she explained. "The reason why we see younger men becoming more conservative may be due to the visibility and reach of these social media influencers, and the growing attention given to debates about gender roles."
Online Echo Chambers and Real-World Disconnects
19-year-old Ken Brady, a Law student at King's College London, was unsurprised by the findings. He highlighted how young men are developing their views in online spaces where masculinity is constantly debated. "Online communities often described as the manosphere can create echo chambers where very traditional ideas about gender roles are repeated and reinforced," Brady noted. "If you're exposed to that repeatedly, it can shape how you think relationships or masculinity should work."
Brady added an important distinction: "In my own experience, the views amplified online are often the most extreme, which can make them seem far more common than they actually are in everyday life."
Broader Societal Attitudes and UK-Specific Findings
Beyond marriage-specific views, the study examined broader gender role perceptions:
- Only one in six respondents (17%) believe women should take on most childcare responsibilities
- Just 16% think women should handle most household chores beyond childcare
- Under a quarter (24%) believe men should shoulder most responsibility for earning money
UK respondents showed some distinctive patterns. While they were less likely than average to personally hold traditional views on household responsibilities, they perceived strong societal expectations. For instance:
- Only 14% personally felt women should take most childcare responsibility, but 43% said society expects this of women
- 15% believed men should be responsible for earning money, but 38% felt society expects this of men
A Call for Collective Action on Gender Equality
Professor Chung emphasised that achieving gender equality requires more than superficial changes. "Fighting for gender equality isn't just about putting a few women in a higher position than men," she asserted. "It is about men and women joining together to challenge society, businesses, and governments to provide more opportunities and protections for both men and women. The challenges we face are shared and addressing them collectively can benefit everyone."
The research paints a complex picture of evolving gender attitudes, revealing that progress toward equality may not follow a straightforward generational trajectory. As society navigates these shifting perceptions, understanding the influences shaping young men's views—particularly in digital spaces—becomes increasingly crucial for fostering genuine gender equality.
