To the surprise of many, it seems there is a notable shift occurring among young American males. While young women seem to be holding the politically-correct line of feminism and wokeism, some young men are bailing on leftist ideology and moving to the right politically and socially.

The Shift

Equipmundo’s left-leaning report, “State of American Men 2023,” lamented:

“(Y)ounger men believe feminism has gone too far and hold more conservative, gender-inequitable views than older men. To this equation, some conservative leaders have made pushing back on LGTQIA+ rights – particularly, transgender rights – a rallying cry for their far-right base.”

This report noted that 18-23 years-old males (Gen Z) are the least likely group of males to affirm that “Feminism has made America a better place.” Many have expressed concerns about the current #MeToo and DEI compliant environments in which they are often forced to work. A poll by J.L. Partners revealed that almost two out of three 18-29 year-old white males say they are afraid of being fired at work if they voice an opinion that is politically incorrect.

A Generation Searching for Meaning

When asked if they trust political institutions (police, government, public schools, etc.) answers ranged from only 14-23%.

This age group is also the least optimistic about the future. It is also disturbingly reported that nearly half of all young men (18-25) regularly contemplate ending their own lives. 65% of young men claim no one really knows them, and most say they have closer relationships online than they do in person.

Young Men Supported Trump in 2024

In 2024, young women (18-29) voted for Kamala Harris by a 58% to 41% margin, but young men (18-29) voted for Donald Trump 56% to 42%. This was in contrast to the 2020 election where only 41% of young men supported Trump.

According to the American Survey Center (2023), 46% of white Gen Z females identify as “liberal,” compared to only 28% of Gen Z males.

Spiritual Awakening?

According to Axios.com, 39% of Gen Z women say they have no religious affiliation, compared to just 31% of young men.

In England the number of young men attending church has tripled since 2018 among 18-24 year-olds and quadrupled among 25-34 year-olds. There is evidence that in the United States, young men are moving towards more conservative theological movements, rather than megachurches and liberal denominations.

This seems to be a global movement as well (at least in the West). In Australia, 37% of Gen Z males believe “the Christian religion is good for society,” compared to only 17% of Gen Z females.

BBC News reports that many young men are moving towards churches that are promoting a more masculine version of Christianity. They state that (according to Pew Research) the Orthodox Church is up to 64% male from only 46% in 2007.

The New York Times noted, “In a First Among Christians, Young Men Are More Religious Than Young Women.” They say,

“Young women, it seems, are moving…out the church doors. About two-thirds of women ages 18 to 29 say that ‘most churches and religious congregations’ do not treat men and women equally, the Survey Center on American Life found.”

Many Reformed podcasters and Christian thought-leaders seem to be drawing large audiences of Gen Z males. Medium.com stated in 2023, “Young men are flocking back to Christianity,” and 2025 that “Gen  Z men are flocking to church.”

Non-religious Podcasters like Jordan Peterson, Joe Rogan and Andrew Tate have massive followers, many of whom are Gen Z males. Charlie Kirk, Ben Shapiro, Matt Walsh, Albert Mohler, Douglas Wilson and others also have a lot of followers among young religious males.

In April of 2025, CBN News interviewed Pastor Greg Laurie from Harvest Church in California who said,

“I was just talking with a teacher yesterday who teaches in a public school, and she has a little Bible club on campus where the Christian kids meet. She said, ‘I’ve never seen anything like this in all my years of teaching, 28 out of 30 of them were boys.’ And that’s so unusual… because hey, girl power, you girls lead the way in spiritual things and guys are sometimes passive, at best, or resistant. But there’s been a complete shift.”

“And I think one of the reasons for it is just men have been so beaten down in the last decade or so. They’re tired of being brow beaten and young men specifically being told it’s bad to be a man, it’s bad to be masculine. And there’s been a reaction. And I think it’s a good reaction.”

The Future of Family Life in America

If the trend toward conservative values continues for young men, it may make things even more difficult for young men who find it hard to have close relationships.

Many young men are turning against feminism but aren’t necessarily sure where to turn for friendships or marriage. As many young men are moving away from wimpy definitions of males (only 15% expressed trust of former President Joe Biden) they are often embracing toxic and harmful versions of masculinity, like those espoused by influencer Andrew Tate (who frequently promotes demeaning views of women).

One social media site that encourages young people to meet to create friendships (not dating) saw a one-year increase in membership of 44% for women and 83% for men, indicating a widening social gap between men and women and their felt needs.

According to Pew Research, 57% of young men would like to have children someday, but only 45% of young women say the same.

It is getting harder for straight males to find a heterosexual wife these days. According to the American Survey Center (2023):

“Nearly one in three (31 percent) Gen Z women identify as lesbian, bisexual, or something else. Fewer than one in five (16 percent) Gen Z men identify as gay, bisexual, or something else…Sexual identity is strongly associated with political ideology, especially among younger Americans…Nearly half (48 percent) of liberal Gen Z women and 29 percent of liberal Gen Z men identify as gay or lesbian, bisexual, or something else.”

The Future

This is a prime time for Bible-believing, Evangelical churches to understand these trends and begin to offer serious and manly discipleship for young men. While we also need to find ways to re-engage our young women, the young men are really searching and whoever reaches them first will likely have significant influence in shaping the future of our country.

One resource I have personally created to help root young adults in historic Biblical theology and doctrine is a non-denominational, 36-week high school curriculum that covers a bit of Church History, Apologetics, Hermeneutics and Systematic Theology entitled, Foundations in Faith (published by Master Books).

I believe the more we offer young men a robust, intellectual and manly version of Christianity, the more young men we will attract and retain in our churches. I am praying for a revival and reformation of the Christian Church in the West, and I believe it may come through a group of young men God is raising up for just such a purpose!