It’s not uncommon for young people to lean Democratic. In 2008, 58% of young people leaned Democratic; in 2012, 53%; and in 2016, 55%. In 2023, the number dipped to 47%, marking the first time it fell below 50% since 2005. This shift has multiple contributing factors, but it can primarily be attributed to one group: young men. 

This shift isn’t merely young men leaning away from the left; it’s them actively swinging to the right. In 2016 the approval of young men for the Republican Party sat at 35%. In 2023: it held a 48% approval, an increase of 13%. The 2020 election exit polls showed that Biden had a 15 point favorability among young men. A 2024 Wall Street Journal poll found that they favored Trump by 14 points. So, what’s going on with young men?

Patriarchy On The Decline?

According to a Wall Street Journal poll in February of 2024, 17% of young men ranked the economy as their top issue, with democracy as their second choice, followed by immigration in third. In contrast, women in the poll put abortion as their top issue at 22%, more than 3 times more than the second issue: the economy and the third issue: immigration. One of the biggest reasons for why the opinions of men and women are diverging can largely be attributed to one factor: college.

When people leave for college, they’re introduced to other students with perspectives unlike the ones they’ve seen before. Conservatives argue that this is because of “liberal indoctrination,” stating that people who go into college leave leaning to the left. But the primary factor is that college is a diverse space, which tends to leave people with more culturally accommodating viewpoints. 

Women are beating men in every statistic when it comes to higher education. According to data condensed by The Chronicle Of Higher Education, women earn the majority of post-secondary degrees at every level, accounting for 62.8% of associate degrees, 58.5% of bachelor’s degrees, 62.6% of master’s degrees and 57% of doctoral degrees. This represents a consequential shift away from rigid gender barriers that historically kept women out of higher education. Moreover, the population of men without a college degree is growing, which has significant consequences.

The Economic Circumstances Of Young Men 

Young men without a college degree have experienced the most significant decline in labor force participation in recent years, while those with college degrees emerge at the top. On the other hand, a record 87% of women with a college degree are participating in the workforce. 

This divide is creating distinctly different economic experiences for young men and women. Women are outearning men in several U.S cities and are generally experiencing rising incomes while men who lack college degrees are consistently losing economic security. Even if the pay gap between genders remains pertinent, statistics show that women with college degrees are catching up and exceeding men without college degrees.

Misogyny Is… Cool?

Culture is also playing a significant role in shifting young men to the right. Since the pandemic, online culture and influence has played a major role in pushing young men down a right-wing pipeline, with gender being used as an introduction. 

The most prominent example is the rise of Andrew Tate. Seemingly overnight, it became cool to become misogynistic. Video edits of his rants, “advice,” and stereotypical perspective of women shifted attitudes among young men, which can still be felt today. Although Tate has seemingly faded from public consciousness, replicas have emerged to take his place.

This sphere of the internet has taken many names, but “manosphere” and “redpill” content are some of the most prominent. Men who make up this manosphere don’t just talk about women (although most do), they give “advice”, talk down on social groups, and, most importantly, act as idols for young men to emulate. Unfortunately, what often happens is that young men without purpose fall down this pipeline and radicalize to the farthest extremes of the right. Mass shooters have been found to be at the end of this pipeline. Real-world attacks, gendered and otherwise, stemming from online radicalization are increasingly prominent.

Democratic Incompetence

Throughout the years of young men swinging to the right, the Democratic Party has increasingly alienated them. This is not simply because the party is perceived as the party of ‘blue-haired feminists’; in fact, it’s quite the opposite. The Democratic Party has left these young men behind. Instead of addressing the issues that matter to young people in general, and young men specifically, Democrats have focused on niche and irrelevant issues. In doing so, they have abandoned a progressive platform. For example, young people across the board including young men approve of a public health care option. Moreover, issues such as gun control, corporate accountability, and prescription drug price capping, even abortion (contrary to popular belief), are areas where young people are becoming more progressive. The Democratic Party has refused to accommodate them, choosing to stick to losing narratives and issues rather than change for the issues of today.

Contradictions

If sat down and interviewed, these young men would harbor contradictory perspectives on the world. On the one hand, many hold the perspective that the world is controlled by the rich and powerful (commonly an anti-Semitic undertone), but nevertheless; in the same breath they will defend the likes of Elon Musk and other billionaires. They hold the view that “big government” is infringing on their rights, and that those in government are corrupt. They also believe that Donald Trump will save them, and that Republicans are anti-corrupt politicians. They believe that men should be the sole breadwinners of the family, and all pressure should rest on their shoulders. Then they quote high suicide rates among men. They believe that men are pushed around in society, and that social norms on men are killing them. Then they blame feminism and “the left.” The list goes on. 

The reasons for why these young men hold these contradictory views are extensive, but, to these young men, logic is not a consideration. At the end of the day, the opinions give them comfort, because young men are hurting.  

Young Men Are Hurting

To summarize, the reason young men are swinging to the right can be articulated simply: young men are hurting. 

For various social and political reasons, young men are feeling (and to an extent are) abandoned en masse. Without role models and financial security, young men often turn to the right for comfort and affirmation. Unfortunately, they aren’t entirely wrong in seeking solace there.

Sincere or not, these figures on the right resonate with the very real struggles that young men face. “Are your financial circumstances getting worse?” “Is society ostracizing you?” “Are you lonely and overweight?” “Have you considered suicide?” “Are you expected to be the breadwinner in an increasingly financially insecure world?” “You know whose fault it is?” Women. Blaming the struggles that young men face on liberation of women has become one of the most successful social narratives of the 21st century. Young men are suffering socially, financially, and mentally. As a result, young men often turn to the fringes of the far right for comfort among others with similar experiences. 

If the movement of young men to the right is to be stopped, and reversed, Democrats have to legislate to their needs. Hold the rich and powerful accountable, fix the economic circumstances of young men (without pinning it against women’s economic freedom). Weed out corrupt politicians, push back against the sexist narratives that are being posed, and generally run on a populist platform. Because young people, including young men, are the future. And without proper care, that could be a frightening thought.