There is an undeniable trend of Gen Z males shifting to the political right. Some see them as the guardians of democracy that will save us from those half-baked democrats, and some see them as the next generation of Patrick Bateman American psychos. This trend emerged — at least to me — around the 2016 election. During this time, I just began to hear the words Republican, Democrat, and foreign policy, mostly at home. Yet, like most things at the time, most of my perspective came from the latest lunch table gossip in my small-town Colorado middle school. My almost all-male friend group in a nearly all-white school completely loved Donald Trump, the sole reason being that my buddies thought that man to be hilarious. Thank god 11-year-olds can’t vote. But perhaps the lunchroom polls of sixth grade predicted the blooming conservative movement we see today and will begin to have widespread consequences this election cycle.
Fast forward eight years later, and my generation’s mental capacity has moved beyond those lunchroom conversations. Now, Trump’s jests and outbursts no longer appear funny, and the comedic value of a presidential candidate does not determine whether we love them. But what does? As an 18-year-old, it is often hard to understand why so many of my peers have become attracted to Trump. Despite being born into a liberal home, my education solidified my moderate left position. If you ask me why I am liberal, I can give several answers that beef up my arguments and will inform my first-time vote in November. So the question is, what are those answers for my GOP peers?
When I ask my conservative friends why they are conservative, I get varied answers. Many cite their hatred of the democratic party, stating that big government is inefficient or that the Democrats are backward in their foreign policy dealings. Some refer to Republican stances on immigration or the economy. These are understandable critiques of Democrats and sensible praises of Republicans. However, I almost always get the answer that the nation is changing too fast. Of course, not wanting rapid change is the natural stance of the conservative. But, when I do a little digging, I find the reasons for this anti-progress headspace to be convoluted.
For hundreds of years, white men ruled the Earth. Images of successful white men in our grandparents’ America, working class and white collar alike, can inspire a sense of calm and security for those of us who fit the bill. Today, although equality is on the rise, white men are still privileged. And the biggest check on progress — the danger to these accomplishments and why equality still remains so far off — is the party of Trump.
This trend can be seen outside of politics as well. The rise of problematic influencers such as Andrew Tate, the romanticization of convoluted characters such as Patrick Bateman or Jordan Belfort, and the pushback against “woke” culture embody an attraction towards things that represent the outdated order. Even more so, I’ve noticed a deep disdain for things that represent the new world’s direction. The LGBTQ movement, the clean energy movement, and the evolving roles of American women are all things I’ve heard complaints about in conversation. These attitudes directly correlate with the partisan divide, and conservative politicians no doubt play into these beliefs to win the hearts of young men. This political mindset is further fanned by the indestructible echo chambers of social media, turning into an inferno within the underdeveloped head of a Gen Z boy.
I refuse to believe that anyone consciously thinks this way. Gen Z males believe in equality. However, subconsciously, we are deceived into thinking that we are no longer equal and we no longer have the same opportunities. I hear it: often disguised as jokes, behind a facade of other political reasoning, or within random conversation. I have also felt it myself. I was convinced, put under the spell of populist conservatism — and just as quickly unconvinced. Many of my friends have had the same journey.
My guess is that Trump’s populist rhetoric, coupled with misogynist influencers and the echo chambers of social media, have caused these beliefs, feelings, and actions within our generation. My hope is that once he vacates the political realm, millions will emerge from this rah-rah daydream and become conservatives who once again represent the necessary brakes on liberalism.
