Following her breakup with a long-term partner, Grace Richardson embarked on what she playfully calls her “rat girl summer.”
“I dove into using Hinge, enjoyed nights out, and connected with new people. At 23, I was flirty and thriving,” recalls the Sydney-based musician and podcast producer.
In this time of self-exploration, Richardson encountered a man whose opinions struck her as alarmingly regressive.
When she mentioned her profession, he casually stated that his favorite podcast ridicules feminists. Upon her sharing of her gym routines, he asserted that men typically don’t find women with athletic builds attractive.
“From that moment, the conversation started to spiral downward,” she reflects.
He claimed that women hit their peak attractiveness by 24, expressed disbelief in the gender pay gap, and argued that feminism had overreached, asserting that women enjoyed “more rights than men.”
“I’d heard about these viewpoints online, but I never expected to actually hear them during a date,” she shares.
Richardson’s experience may not be unique. Studies indicate a widening gender gap among Gen Z voters, revealing a trend where young men are leaning toward conservative views while young women embrace progressive ideals.
In the 2024 US elections, young men aged 18-29 showed significant support for Donald Trump, favoring him by 56% to 42%. In contrast, young women from the same age bracket overwhelmingly backed Kamala Harris at 58% to 40%.
Similarly, during the 2024 UK elections, young men were twice as likely to support the right-wing populist party Reform UK compared to young women, who leaned more toward the Green Party.
This trend isn’t confined to Western nations. Intifar Chowdhury, a lecturer in government at Flinders University, highlights that in countries like China, Taiwan, and particularly South Korea, young men tend to hold more conservative views than their female counterparts.
But what does this mean for Australia? Will we witness a similar shift in the upcoming federal elections?
The Widening Generation Gap
Dr. Sarah Cameron, a political scientist at Griffith University’s School of Government and International Relations, expresses caution. As a chief investigator of the Australian Election Study, she notes that while there is a gender gap in politics, it pales in comparison to the generational divide.
Recent polls from Guardian Australia indicate that among 18 to 34-year-olds, Labor leads by 61.2% to 38.8%. They lead slightly among 35 to 49-year-olds but trail significantly behind older demographics.
“Younger generations skew much further to the left than previous ones did at the same age,” Cameron remarks. “Young women, in particular, lean even further left when compared to young men.”
Chowdhury concurs; she emphasizes that while both genders are moving leftward, young women are doing so at a notably accelerated rate.
“There is a noticeable gender gap, with women progressing leftward more swiftly; however, they aren’t diverging ideologically,” she explains.
Cameron suggests that young women’s leftward shift is likely influenced by their increased involvement in higher education and the workforce, alongside greater representation within Labor’s ranks. Chowdhury adds that movements like #MeToo, coupled with governmental responses to sexual assault allegations, have played pivotal roles.
Both scholars acknowledge a significant wave of first-time Gen Z voters heading to the polls in 2025, which could challenge existing perceptions.
Chowdhury references a recent poll by the Australian Financial Review showing that 37% of men aged 18 to 34 preferred Peter Dutton for Prime Minister, compared to 27% of women. Meanwhile, 32% of women in that demographic indicated they would vote for the Greens, equal to Labor, while only 20% of men showed similar support.
In an effort to capture young female voters, Anthony Albanese has been seen engaging on platforms like Abbie Chatfield’s It’s a Lot podcast.
Discontent with Major Political Parties
Darien, a 19-year-old music student at the University of Sydney, notes that he tends to socialize with “mostly progressive people,” but he observes a noticeable rift between his male and female friends on social issues.
“There’s definitely a divide. I’d like to think it’s not present in my circle, but it is,” he comments, specifically recalling tensions during the voice to parliament referendum.
“Many of my female friends supported a ‘yes’ vote and expressed frustrations with male friends who opposed it,” he explains. “Conversations around reproductive rights also seem to echo this divide.”
Although most of his friends lean more toward American politics, Darien avoids the topic, believing it could lead to conflict.
“In terms of Australian politics, people generally know less. My friends either have a strong dislike for Peter Dutton or are just unaware of him. Some aren’t fond of Albanese, either. Personally, I think he’s doing a decent job,” he shares.
“But there’s a growing ‘us versus them’ mentality that hampers constructive dialogue on these topics.”
Chowdhury emphasizes the importance of not portraying young men as simply a “reactionary force,” arguing this view is divisive and counterproductive.
“Many Gen Z voters will be casting their votes for the first time, doing so amidst a cost-of-living crisis,” Chowdhury notes, suggesting that their frustrations may be more about economic challenges rather than a reaction against feminism.
“Economic issues significantly influence elections. Voters may support the Coalition for economic reasons, but we shouldn’t hastily conclude they’re shifting rightward across the board,” she advises.
Hannah Ferguson, founder of Cheek Media, a platform focused on educating young people about politics, observes a burgeoning “anti-establishment” sentiment among young Australian men wary of the political landscape.
“Unlike the US, where the political divide revolves around party allegiance, many young men in Australia are dissatisfied with both parties,” Ferguson explains.
“I do anticipate a voting divide between young men and women, as young men trend rightward. Yet, we’re not approaching the levels of polarization seen in the US.”
Ferguson believes there will also be a noticeable increase in support for independents and the Greens among young voters.
As for Richardson, her date represented the conclusion of her “rat girl summer.”
“I had memorable moments and met some great guys, but this encounter really left a sour impression,” she reflects.
She clarifies that the four-hour conversation with him was not confrontational, but she was keen to understand his stance and challenge it. Ultimately, she found his views deeply entrenched.
“It opened my eyes,” Richardson admits. “I felt disappointed, frightened, and misunderstood. It made me realize just how steep the climb really is.”
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