In recent years, young men and women in Generation Z have moved in opposite political directions, producing a gender gap unlike any other generation before. Young men have increasingly leaned towards the conservative, Republican party while women have moved towards the liberal, Democratic party. While gender gaps are a feature in every generation, none have been as stark as Gen Z. 

Who is the main driver? Women. They are now the force pushing Gen Z towards the left politically and socially, and becoming increasingly more civically active compared to any other generation. There are divides not just about how they feel about political candidates, but cultural issues which could deeply affect America.

Generation Z, which I am a part of, is the cohort born between 1997 and 2012. My generation has been shaped by rapid technology growth, social media, witnessing financial crises, wars, and climate change. 

Contrary to the conventional wisdom that young voters support progressive candidates and policies, in the most recent presidential election, men between the ages of 18 and 29 showed immense support for the Republican candidate, Donald Trump. However, women have become a cohesive force for the Democratic party, with about 65 percent voting for Biden in 2020 and Harris in 2024. 

This gender divide is complex, rooted in differences in politics and social issues. In terms of politics, only 26 percent of Gen Z women approve of the job that Donald Trump is doing in office compared to 47 percent of Gen Z men. On the question of abortion, 76 percent of women believe that abortion should be legal, whereas 59 percent of men believe it should be legal.

Women’s activism is now amplified by the fact that we make up around sixty percent of college students, contributing to the trend that higher educated individuals tend to be liberal. With greater access to higher education and economic opportunity, women are now more empowered to play a larger role in political activism and voting, while men have fallen behind women in civic engagement. 

Alongside this increase in engagement, there is the fact that women’s rights are being increasingly threatened under the Trump administration. After movements like #MeToo and the fall of Roe v. Wade, many women feel a sense of urgency and personal investment, whereas Gen Z men don’t have the same sentiment. Moreover, this reflects both differences in priorities and experiences. 

Many men feel that their rights and lifestyle are being infringed upon so they seek validation from communities online. The feeling of losing influence in many aspects of society has led them to turn to misogynistic social media influencers like Charlie Kirk, Andrew Tate, or Adin Ross who have created a mass following. They have become pillars of hypermasculinity and misogyny by promoting hate and violence against women. 

Additionally, these influencers have become prominent recruiters for the right wing Republican party by framing politicians like Trump as an empowering figure who will restore male power. With social media algorithms and echo chambers, podcasters, YouTubers and other online influencers, can easily engage young men and boys – some as young as middle school – to promote conservatism rooted in male dominance, and a community of men who have common ground.

Algorithms turn everyday interests like fitness, relationships, and gaming into gateways to the manosphere. They thrive on male loneliness and insecurity about themselves and the world around them and move the blame to women.

These political shifts also go beyond just political candidates, they have put a strain on romantic and platonic relationships, as women and men are no longer spending time together, rather they are spending time in their separate echo chambers – creating their own sense of reality on social media. As young men are holding onto the belief in more traditional gender roles and family structures, Gen Z women are valuing independence, their careers, and progressive reform.

As a member of Gen Z, I have experienced this divide. I and many other women my age have become concerned with issues like abortion, the environment, gun laws, and equality while many of our male counterparts don’t feel the same or prioritize other issues. 

Why is this important? Who does it affect? It is important because this signals deepening polarization that has shown to put a strain on relationships. As Gen Z becomes older, there will be less social cohesion and greater risks to democratic consensus. With the effects of social media algorithms and echo chambers, there will be irreversible polarization and instability. 

Polarization has effects on housing, jobs, welfare, social relationships, mental health, and families.

What can we do? In short, educate.

As Gen Z, we can develop our media literacy and learn to combat misinformation. Introduce media literacy in school curriculum; parents can educate their children on media influence – young boys about misogynistic language and media, and young girls about self confidence. We can foster better empathy and understanding for personal gender struggles including women’s underrepresentation and hardships and men’s mental health struggles. Men with large platforms must promote equality, emotional intelligence, and mental health resources. We can focus on common struggles that we have experienced like economic opportunities, housing, and anxieties about the future.

Understanding the causes and consequences of this political and social split helps us navigate the lasting effects of social media, misinformation, the need for education, and relationships. Ultimately, Gen Z’s historic gender divide is not a myth, but a tangible reality shown in activism, ideologies, and voting across the country.

As a generation, we can work towards a better cohesive force that focuses on growth and positive change. 

Rosemary Bonadies is a student at Connecticut College.