The widening Liberalism Gap between young women and men

On the occasion of the globally relevant elections in 2024, Glocalities has published a trend report on how the growing despair and divide between young women and men is likely to affect the electoral outcomes. Their insights are drawn from research across 20 countries representing all continents. We have picked out a few of the most exciting facts from the report for you:

🌍 Both young women and men are very concerned about education, unemployment, economic growth, human rights violations, and climate change. They aspire to pursue a career, own their own home, be independent and self-determined, but feel hopeless, disillusioned, and let down by society, to a certain extent due to the cost-of-living crisis combined with insufficient policies and political representation.

👩🏽‍🦰 Young women around the world are increasingly concerned about issues such as sexual harassment, domestic violence, child abuse and neglect, as well as mental illness. The ever-growing emancipation trends of recent years continue to rise at a rapid pace, making the global generation of young women arguably the most liberalised group in human history.

👨🏻‍🦱 In contrast: While older men (55-65 years old) were the most conservative in 2014 and younger men were significantly more liberal (18-24), in 2024 young men are less liberal than older men. Compared to young women, they care less about social justice and gender equality but more about competition, bravery, and honour, partly because they themselves feel let down as well.

While right-wing values are not compatible with the advancing emancipation of many young women, it is to be expected that the generally more conservative young men will be drawn to their side by radical right-wing movements which appeal to their concerns and disillusionment. However, Glocalities’ research also shows that young men are not (yet) turning away from liberal values, leaving room for more liberal parties to represent and address the growing disillusionment among young men. Want more? Read along here.