In 2001, young men and women had comparable political ideologies, with women being slightly more liberal, reports the New York Times.
This trend remained relatively stable during the George W. Bush and Barack Obama presidencies. However, starting around 2016, a noticeable shift occurred. According to a new analysis, women aged 18 to 29 became significantly more liberal than previous generations, with about 40% now identifying as liberal compared to just 19% who identify as conservative. Meanwhile, young men’s political views have remained largely unchanged, and they are more likely to identify as conservative than liberal.
This ideological shift among young women is remarkable, as such stark changes are rare, according to political scientists. Young women today are much more liberal than women aged 30 and older, a trend that cuts across racial lines and education levels. The Gallup analysis, which studied responses to 54 political questions, underscores the growing gender gap in political ideology among young voters. For instance, 67% of women aged 18 to 29 supported Vice President Kamala Harris in a recent poll of six swing states, compared to just 40% of young men.
Researchers point to several major events since 2016 that may have driven this shift. Hillary Clinton’s loss to Donald Trump, the #MeToo movement, and the overturning of Roe v. Wade in 2022 are seen as key turning points that significantly influenced young women’s political views. These young women were raised in a culture emphasizing female empowerment and equality, but recent events underscored the persistence of sexism, prompting many to become more politically engaged.
Political scientists like Melissa Deckman describe these young women as having “internal political efficacy,” a belief in their ability to effect change, which has fueled their increasing political activism. Although young people are generally more liberal, they are historically less likely to vote. However, Generation Z women stand out as highly politically engaged, with more of them voting than their male peers.
Issues like climate change, gun control, and race relations have also played significant roles in shaping the political identity of young women. For example, 86% of young women believe human activity is responsible for climate change, and 74% support stricter gun laws, significant increases from previous generations. These shifts suggest that young women could remain a powerful force for progressive politics in the years to come, presenting a challenge for the Republican Party.
For many young women, the 2016 election was a pivotal moment. Some credit Senator Bernie Sanders with shaping their liberal views, but the gendered nature of the race between Hillary Clinton and Donald Trump, alongside the Access Hollywood tape, deepened their political convictions. The #MeToo movement and the Supreme Court’s 2022 decision on abortion rights further cemented these views, with many young women describing the events as eye-opening experiences regarding gender inequality.
The rise of figures like Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, who represents a younger, more progressive generation of women in politics, has also served as an inspiration for young women, encouraging them to engage more actively in political life. Social media platforms, especially TikTok, have amplified this engagement, often reinforcing liberal views among young women through targeted content.
Ultimately, these political shifts suggest that today’s young women could play a long-term role in shaping the future of American politics.
