The divide between young men and women’s political preferences are growing at unsettling rates. In the U.S., the majority of men between the ages of 18-29 plan to vote for former President Donald Trump while the majority of women in the same age range plan to vote for Vice President Kamala Harris. While this divergence, coined “the gender gap” by founder and President of the Feminist Majority Foundation Eleanor Smeal, is not new, older generations have not witnessed as striking a contrast between men and women voters.
The rising gender gap is partly attributed to the political priorities of each sex. According to Brookings, young women prioritize solutions to “sexual harassment, domestic violence, child abuse and neglect, and mental health problems,” whereas men are most concerned with “competition, bravery, and honor.” Women see Harris as a beacon of hope to address the issues they care most about, supporting her by 38 points. Men see Trump as the “champion of traditional manhood” in a world with rapidly shifting gender roles, supporting him by 13 points. This 51 point difference is larger than any other generation.
The gender divide may consequently decide the election. According to exit polls from the 2022 midterms and the 2020 presidential election, young voters were significant in determining Democratic wins. However, the increasing gender gap could impact the Democrat’s vital advantage. A poll released by CNN earlier this month shows that in battleground states, the number of men Harris is losing is larger than the one she is winning with women. With the current gender gap, Republicans may win the majority of young men for the first time in over two decades.
Young men’s shift towards conservatism has been associated with various causes, including their perceived threat of liberals’ push for diversity. In a Pew Research survey, 40% of Trump-supporting men under the age of 50 think that women’s gains in society have come at the expense of men. This proportion is more than double the amount of Biden-supporting men under the age of 50 and substantially larger than the amount of Trump-supporting men over the age of 50. These men feel as though they are being left behind socially and economically.
According to the New York Times, women now earn more college degrees than men and women who are the primary providers of their household are on the rise. As the proportion of men working is declining and the jobs that have historically been male-dominated – specifically those that did not require a college degree – are disappearing, men are turning to Trump. In effect, Trump has garnered mass support among men, especially those without college degrees, who are desperate for an economic solution that will allow them to provide for a family. With Trump’s emphasis on patriarchal traditions and masculinity, he has given them hope.
The effects of the growing gender gap have already been witnessed internationally. Election results across the world have been impacted by young men’s shift towards far-right ideologies. In countries such as Argentina, South Korea, and across Europe, young men have held massive significance in the successes of recent far-right campaigns. If the gender gap continues to surge, the U.S. could be next.
In an election where issues such as reproductive health, LGBTQ+ rights, sex discrimination, education, and the protection of immigrants are on the line, it is more critical than ever to mobilize women voters’ voices heard.
Although young men are increasingly moving towards conservatism, Gen Z women have become the most progressive group in U.S. history. In the last eight years, events such Trump’s campaign victory, the #MeToo movement, and the Dobbs decision were critical turning points for many young women. Since they are most affected by these matters, young women have turned towards more liberal policies and candidates that would speak to their concerns. These voters support candidates who have championed these issues – who are undeniably more outspoken about reproductive rights, bodily autonomy, and affordable healthcare, broadening advocacy for women’s issues and consequently energizing young women.
This could be game changing, as young women are considerably more likely to vote than young men. In the last presidential election, 52.5% of women ages 18-29 voted, while only 47.5% of men in the same age range did, according to the U.S. Census Bureau. Young women are also shown to be more politically engaged. Because young voters have been significant in the outcome of past elections, the difference in voting could mean that Gen Z women will have substantial power in November.
