While young people (Gen Z) are generally more progressive than post-war generations, there is a growing gender split as young men move further to the right, while young women veer left.

Reports show that young men are being drawn to the far right. They were more likely than women to vote for Donald Trump in the United States, the latter overwhelmingly voting for Kamala Harris.

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US exit polls showed that about 49% of male voters, aged 18–29, voted for Trump, and about 38% of women.

In the recent German elections, this trend was repeated. More young men voted for the far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD) party.

While an alarming 21% of 18–24-year-olds voted for the AfD, slightly more — 25% — voted for Die Linke (The Left). Among this cohort, the traditional conservative and social democratic parties and the Greens received between 11–13% each.

Broken down by gender, 24% of men voted for the AfD, compared to 17% of women. Only 7% of men voted for Die Linke, compared to 10% of women.

Similar dynamics are emerging in Australia. Recent polling shows 32% of 18–34 year old men support the Coalition, compared to just 25% of women the same age.

Young women are also far more likely to support the Greens (32%) than young men (20%), while 36% of men favour Labor, compared to 32% of women.

What is going on?

The decline in living standards has taken place under both Labor and the Coalition’s neoliberal policies. Consequently, young people are looking for alternatives to the left and right.

One reason for young people’s disillusionment with the traditional big........

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