The gender divide in politics widens for Gen Z

What you probably already know: Generation Z is the first generation to grow up surrounded by technology, spending more time on their phones and social media than any other generation. Gen Z, which represented about 20% of the U.S. population in 2023 and is generally considered people born between 1997 and 2012, is always “plugged in” — resulting in socially conscious individuals who can form strong opinions on various issues at a relatively young age. Increasingly, those views are deeply divided along gender lines.

Why? Gen Z men and women hold opposing views on many topics, particularly when it comes to politics, gender roles, and policy issues. A new NBC News poll suggests Gen Z women are the driving force behind the generation’s widening gender split. In the survey of nearly 20,000 people in the U.S., 52% of women between the ages of 18 and 29 identified as Democrat, compared to 35% of men the same age. About 38% of Gen Z men and 20% of Gen Z women considered themselves Republican. When asked about President Donald Trump, just 24% of Gen Z women approved of his performance so far — compared to 45% of men the same age. The divide extended to other areas of life, like social media platforms (more women under 30 like TikTok for news and information while men favor YouTube) and priorities (the largest share of Gen Z men said the economy was their biggest concern, while women were most concerned about threats to democracy). The gender gap is supported by other polls, including one conducted by The New York Times last summer that found Gen Z women favored Kamala Harris for president by 38 points. Men the same age favored Trump by 13 points. Across all ages, women backed Harris while men supported Trump.

What it means: Gender divisions exist within every generation, but Gen Z’s is the most prominent. In the NBC poll, Gen X men and women had the second-largest gender split over Trump’s approval rating: a 13-point difference compared to Gen Z’s 21-point gap. An analysis of Gallup polling trends suggests that young women became significantly more liberal than women of previous generations starting around 2016. Experts suggest the shift, which hasn’t really extended to young men, might be influenced by the atmosphere of empowerment Gen Z women grew up in. Events like the #MeToo movement and the overturning of Roe v. Wade may have sharpened their views on self-esteem and representation in areas previously dominated by men. Instead of allowing events like the widening wage gap to quiet them, young women are galvanized into becoming change-makers. The deep divide between Gen Z men and women could therefore shape American politics in the decades to come, with shifts potentially driven by young women who hold increasingly liberal views on the death penalty, abortion, health care, taxes, and international conflicts, among other issues.

What happens now? Gen Zers are more likely to tie their political beliefs into their personal identity, making them less likely to bridge ideological gaps when seeking romantic relationships. Drawing a hard line when seeking a partner — or any kind of relationship — can lead to a less empathetic, more polarized society as a whole. As traditional gender roles fade, many Gen Z men have struggled to find their place, especially in the economy. Trump’s economic policies and message of traditional masculinity speak to some of them, and could continue to build support among young men while further distancing young women.