Gen Z men and women divided on marriage and family

Young men prioritize marriage and childrearing significantly more than young women, according to a recent NBC poll.

The poll, conducted in August and September, asked 18- to 29-year-olds to rank their priorities from a list of 13 categories including marriage, childrearing, home ownership, financial stability, a fulfilling career and emotional stability.

The survey also presented results based on the demographic’s voting records in the 2024 general election. For example, men who voted for President Donald Trump ranked having children as the top priority while women who voted for former Vice President Kamala Harris ranked it second to last.

Women who voted for Trump ranked having kids as fourth, and men who voted for Harris ranked it tenth.

Financial independence was ranked first for women who voted for Trump and a fulfilling career for both men and women who voted for Harris.

When raking marriage, men who voted for Trump listed it fourth while women who voted for Trump ranked it ninth. For Harris voters, marriage was ninth for men and 11th for women.

Another major gender difference was seen with “emotional stability.” Women and men who voted for Harris ranked this in their top five priorities – third and fourth, respectively. Women and men who voted for Trump placed emotional stability in their bottom third – 10th and 12th, respectively. 

These differences coincide with the decline in marriage and birth rates in recent years. Among adults, this so-called “gender gap” is the largest in Gen Z – the youngest category of American adults, NBC reports.

The poll also considered other political preferences in Gen Z. For example, 64% disapprove of Trump’s current work in The White House and 36% approve, according to NBC. Among men, 53% disapprove and 47% approve while, among women, 74% disapprove and only 26% approve.

Historically, political differences between the sexes is common; however, the discrepancy on marriage and family is a new phenomenon.

“Something that used to be taken for granted as a rite of passage and fact of life has now become yet another matter for political debate,” The New York Post wrote.

The natural steps of marriage and family, while less common, are still just as important, sacred, and beneficial, according to sociologist Brad Wilcox, professor at the University of Virginia. Married men are happier and healthier, studies show.

“Married men are more financially secure, happier, and less prone to succumbing to deaths of despair,” Wilcox wrote. “There is also decent evidence that some of the benefits of marriage for men flow from the ways in which marriage as an institution protects men from loneliness, meaninglessness, and helps them work smarter and more successfully.”

A recent study proves the same for women: women who marry and have children are reportedly “very happy.”

Gen Zers have shifted in many categories over recent years, especially regarding religion and political affiliations. The “gender gap” on marriage and family carries long-term, real-world impact, Wilcox argues, predicting that one in three Gen Zers will never marry and one in four will never have children.

He advises young adults to oppose the trend and Get Married – the title of his recent book.

“In short, defy the atomizing, me-first messaging of our solipsistic age – and say ‘I do,’” Wilcox said.