Young men were key to the blue wave. Our research offers a reason why | Brigid Schulte and Haley Swenson

Young men played a pivotal role in the recent blue wave election, shifting nearly 40 points to support Democrats. This shift occurred despite concerns over the influence of the manosphere and toxic masculinity, which had previously dominated political discourse. However, our research reveals that young men may not be as toxic as once believed, as they are increasingly valuing caregiving alongside paid work.

Our study, conducted with NORC at the University of Chicago, surveyed over 3,000 Americans, with an emphasis on young men aged 18-29. We found that more than 60% of young men consider caregiving as significant as paid work, even though many have not yet become fathers or caregivers. Thirty percent of young men identify as caregivers, with 44% being young Hispanic men who voted for Democrats by 47 points from 2024.

Financial stability and time for caregiving emerged as key concerns for young men. Nearly six in ten young men with caregiving experience have reduced their work hours, citing the high cost of living as a major barrier to providing care. Eight in ten young men believe being an involved father is an essential part of manhood, and seven in ten would be interested in being a stay-at-home parent if given the choice.

While some young men hold traditional views on gender, with men being more likely to support men doing care work, most believe care should be shared equally between genders. Sixty percent of young men think mothers and fathers provide equally good care for newborns, and half are likely to need paid leave for child care in the future.