They’re youngsters with old outlooks.
Total submissiveness in romantic relationships is a must for a staggering number of young men, who view their wives and girlfriends as sexual subordinates, per startling new data.
“Thirty-one percent of Gen Z men agree that a wife should always obey her husband, and 33% say a husband should have the final word on important decisions,” according to a global survey of 23,000 people.
Researchers for Ipsos, a market research company in the UK, and the Global Institute for Women’s Leadership at King’s Business School in London, polled guys and gals, of all ages, from 29 countries — including the US, Great Britain, Brazil and India.
Just ahead of International Women’s Day on Sunday, March 8, investigators sought to identify stark differences between different generations of men, from Baby Boomers to Gen Xers to millennials to Zoomers, when it comes to gender roles.
Adults over 30 largely disagreed with antiquated, misogynistic notions that women are of lesser stature than men, based on the findings. But Gen Z clods — whippersnappers raging in age from 18 to 29 — widely maintain more “traditional” values, placing fellas on a pedestal and women in the kitchen.
The survey results, while troubling, aren’t exactly surprising, given the recent rise in popularity of “red pill” men. They’re a subculture of meatheads perpetuating a societal hatred against women by opposing feminist narratives.
The likes of Andrew Tate, a controversial content creator, as well as Scott Galloway, author of the 2026 tome “Notes on Being a Man,” have been openly vilified for force-feeding “toxic masculinity” to the impressionable blokes of Gen Z.
And these young fellows are, evidently, eating it up.
When it comes to sparking the flames of sex, 21% of Zers worldwide argued that “a real woman” should “never” initiate a roll in the hay. Only 12% of Gen Z women agreed with the viewpoint, backed by just 7% of Boomer men and women.
Gen Z men also outpaced other demographics with the running idea that women “should not appear too independent or self-sufficient.”
Disturbingly, however, 41% of the fledglings believe that women with successful careers are more attractive to men.
It’s an alarming duality that Kelly Beaver, Chief Executive of Ipsos, says “opens a vital dialogue on how gender norms are being reshaped, highlighting the complex interplay between modernity and tradition and urging us to delve deeper into the cultural, social, and economic factors that influence these beliefs.”
And those problematic beliefs don’t stop at female obedience and sexual subservience.
Gen Z men also hold themselves to severely rigid standards.
While 30% insist that men should never say “I love you” to a friend, 43% feel that “young men should try to be physically tough, even if they’re not naturally big.” Both positions prioritize hyper-masculinity over vulnerability and sensitivity.
And in the case of household chores and child-rearing responsibilities, 21% of Zoomer guys maintain that “men who take part in caregiving for children are less masculine than those who do not.” A paltry 14% of Gen Z women and 8% of Boomer men agreed.
Globally, an astounding number of folks, from all age groups, admitted to believing in gender equality — especially in the home — but felt compelled to abide by the more stereotypical mores of their cultures and countries.
But Heejung Chung, director of the Global Institute for Women’s Leadership at King’s Business School, hopes to see an immediate turn in the tides.
“It is deeply concerning to see traditional gender norms persisting today, and more troubling still that many people appear to be pressured by social expectations that do not actually reflect what most of us believe,” said the professor, according to the study.
“Our data reveals a striking gap between people’s personal views, which are far more progressive, and what they imagine society demands of them,” continued Chung. “This gap is particularly pronounced among Gen Z men, who not only appear to feel intense pressure to conform to rigid masculine ideals, but in some cases seem to also expect women to retreat to more traditional ways of being.”
Chung hails the study as an inaugural step towards change.
“Our report aims to cut through these misperceptions and show people what we as a society truly believe: that gender norms are genuinely shifting, and more and more people want a more equal, flexible approach to gender roles.”
