Young, modern — yet traditional? Study finds Gen Z men favour conventional marriage roles

SHAH ALAM - In a twist that challenges assumptions about the younger generations, a global survey across 29 countries has found that many Generation Z men are embracing more traditional views on gender roles including the belief that wives should obey their husbands.

The survey, conducted by Ipsos and the Global Institute for Women’s Leadership at King’s College London, showed that nearly one in three Gen Z men believe a wife should obey her husband, while 33 per cent said a husband should have the final say on important decisions within a marriage.

The survey polled more than 23,000 people aged 16 and above across 29 countries, including the US, Britain, Brazil, Australia, India, Indonesia and Malaysia.

Findings first reported by The Guardian showed significant differences between countries.

Respondents in Indonesia (66 per cent) and Malaysia (60 per cent) were the most likely to agree that a wife should obey her husband, compared with 23 per cent in the US and 13 per cent in Britain.

Researchers defined Generation Z as those born between 1997 and 2012.

Their responses suggest a notable shift compared with older male cohorts.

From the report.

Among men from the baby boomer generation, born between 1946 and 1964, only 13 per cent agreed that a wife should always obey her husband.

A similar pattern appeared among women. About 18 per cent of Gen Z women agreed with the statement, compared with just six per cent of baby boomer women.

Other responses from Gen Z men also reflected more traditional attitudes.

Around 24 per cent said women should avoid appearing too independent or self-sufficient — double the proportion of baby boomer men who shared the same view.

Attitudes toward sexual norms also differed. About 21 per cent of Gen Z men said a “real woman” should never initiate sex, compared with seven per cent of baby boomer men.

At the same time, many young men said they felt pressure from conversations around gender equality. Nearly 59 per cent of Gen Z men said men were being asked to do too much to support gender equality, compared with 45 per cent of baby boomer men.

Among women, 41 per cent of Gen Z respondents and 30 per cent of baby boomers shared the same view.

Despite expressing more traditional views in some areas, the same group was also the most likely to say that women with successful careers were more attractive to men, with 41 per cent agreeing with that statement.

Globally, the research suggests attitudes may be shifting toward more conservative positions. In 2019, 42 per cent of people worldwide said women’s rights had gone far enough in their country. That figure has since risen to 52 per cent.

From the report.

Speaking to The Guardian, Julia Gillard, chair of the Global Institute for Women’s Leadership and a former Australian prime minister, said restrictive gender expectations can affect both men and women.

She noted that young men may impose limiting expectations on women while also “trapping themselves within restrictive gender norms”.

Researchers also pointed to economic pressures as a possible factor shaping attitudes. Changing job markets and rising living costs have made it harder for many young men to fulfil traditional expectations of being the primary provider — a role historically tied to masculine identity in many societies.

The survey also found a gap between personal beliefs and perceived social expectations.

In Britain, for example, only 14 per cent of respondents said they personally believed women should take most responsibility for childcare. However, 43 per cent believed society expects women to take on that role.