Gen Z Men's Startling Views on Women: Inequality Fuels Anti-Feminist Backlash
Recent findings from a comprehensive global survey have signalled a troubling rise in regressive attitudes towards women among young men from Generation Z. Conducted by pollsters Ipsos in collaboration with King's College London, the study uncovered that nearly one-third (31%) of gen Z men believe a woman should always obey her husband. Additionally, a fifth (21%) assert that women should never initiate sex, while 33% hold the view that women should let their husbands have the final say on important decisions.
The Complexity of Survey Data and Cultural Context
It is crucial to acknowledge the limitations of drawing broad conclusions from a worldwide survey that averages responses across vastly different cultures and economies. Researchers cannot probe respondents on the nuances behind their answers or reconcile seemingly contradictory views. For instance, younger men are more likely than older generations to identify as feminists and find successful women attractive, yet some simultaneously advocate for female subordination. The data does not clarify whether the same individuals hold these conflicting beliefs.
Other surveys paint a more intricate picture, suggesting that young men's desires do not always align with traditional gender roles. One study of young Americans found more men than women expressing a desire to become parents, while another revealed adolescents of both sexes seeking more vulnerable depictions of fathers in media.
Economic Pressures and the Scarcity of Status
Young men frequently describe living in a world of heightened competition while searching for appropriate role models. In a society that often equates social position with personal worth, it is unsurprising that many men vie for status. However, rampant inequality exacerbates this struggle, with the wealthy accelerating ahead. In 2023, Oxfam reported that the richest 1% of Britons possess more wealth than 70% of the population combined.
In the United Kingdom, young people have been particularly hard-hit. The average home in England now costs 7.7 times the average wage, a stark increase from 3.5 times in 1997. Unemployment is on the rise, with youth bearing the brunt of joblessness. University degrees no longer guarantee a path to good wages or decent living standards. As prospects diminish, status feels scarce, and progress appears zero-sum. Under these intense pressures, some men direct their resentment towards women, fueling a growing anti-feminist discourse.
The Destructive Role of Social Media and the Manosphere
Social media platforms play a destructive role by offering the scapegoat of women's rights instead of real solutions. The so-called "manosphere" often promotes bigotry disguised as self-respect and get-rich-quick fantasies that prey on male anxieties. The impact is evident: when asked by Ipsos and King's College whether "things have gone far enough" in giving women equal rights, almost half of men in the UK agreed, slightly below the 29-country average. The poll also indicates that Britain, alongside other Western nations, has seen the most significant increases since 2019 in support for the notion that gender equality efforts have "gone far enough."
Addressing the Root Causes: Prosperity and Cultural Shift
Researchers argue that these attitudes will not shift until material realities improve: more jobs, higher wages, and better living standards for young people. Yet, prosperity alone cannot eradicate misogyny. A profound cultural shift is also necessary, one that cannot occur without young men first taking accountability for their attitudes towards women. They also require compassion—to understand that they do not need to adopt the faulty armour of machismo and that wealth does not define their worth. Ultimately, it is rising inequality, not women, that obstructs their path to a fulfilling life.
