#775 - Daniel Cox - Why Are Young Men Becoming More Right Wing?
Apr 25, 2024
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Daniel Cox, a researcher and Director at the Survey Center on American Life, delves into the political polarization between young men and women. He discusses how cultural movements like #MeToo and issues such as abortion are shaping youth ideologies. Cox highlights the implications of these trends for dating, revealing how political affiliations create imbalances in relationships. He also addresses the decline in life satisfaction among younger generations, emphasizing the role of social media in fostering mistrust and loneliness.
Young men are moving towards the right while women are leaning left, leading to a significant ideological divide.
The Me Too movement influences young women's political views and priorities like abortion contribute to the gender political divide.
Political socialization, tribalism, and personal experiences shape young men's disaffection with politics and views on feminism.
Deep dives
Gender Divide in Political Leanings
There is a significant ideological divide between men and women, with women increasingly leaning towards the left while young men are moving towards the right. Gallup data shows that women are becoming significantly more liberal, with up to a 14-point gap between them and young men. This shift has implications on political beliefs, voting behavior, and societal dynamics.
Role of Me Too Movement and Abortion
The Me Too movement has influenced young women's political views, with a sense of shared fate contributing to stronger liberal leanings. Issues like abortion show a priority divide, with a higher percentage of young women considering it a critical issue compared to young men. The impact of social movements and political priorities shape the gender political divide.
Challenge of Political Socialization and Tribalism
Political socialization plays a key role in shaping individuals' political beliefs, with parental politics influencing children's views to some extent. However, the rise of tribalism and echo chambers, especially on social media, intensifies gender antagonism. Young men's disaffection with politics and views on feminism show a complex interaction between personal experiences and societal influences.
Expectations around Gender Equality and Dynamics
Discussions on gender equality and societal dynamics showcase a nuanced view. While progress in gender equality has been made, challenges exist for both men and women. Men's struggles, particularly around societal expectations and mental health, warrant attention alongside the structural disadvantages faced by women. Both genders navigate evolving social norms and cultural shifts in shaping their political ideologies and relational dynamics.
Impact of Religious Participation on Political Affiliation among Black Americans
Historically, religious participation among Black Americans tied them to the Democratic Party. However, the drop in church attendance among Black men compared to Black women may affect their political alignment. This trend could influence the 2024 election cycle, especially regarding support for young people. Despite diverging trends, there is likely to be significant support for Biden among the youth, particularly young women.
Gender Divide in Politics and Dating
The episode explores the intersection of politics and personal relationships, highlighting a potential divide in values shaping dating preferences. While some emphasize the importance of shared values like political alignment, others prioritize qualities such as respect and kindness. Trump's personal behavior, rather than his policies, emerged as a crucial factor influencing dating preferences, creating a political divide. Possible solutions like 'trad-fishing' or 'work-fishing' aim to address the political mismatch in relationships.
Daniel Cox is a researcher, pollster and Director of the Survey Center on American Life.
Never before has the divide between left and right mirrored the split between men and women so closely. Women are increasingly leaning to the left, while young men are skewing towards the right. Daniel is the original analyser of this groundbreaking data and has a variety of explanations for exactly what we're seeing in the modern political world.
Expect to learn why there is such an ideological divide between men and women, whether #MeToo had anything to do with this change, what roles abortion & LGTB campaigns play in this, whether conservative men are struggling to find a partner, the implications of the gender political divide on dating and much more...
