The keyword in the title is tries.
The recent US election was a pivotal moment that went beyond the contest between Donald Trump and Kamala Harris or the usual Republican versus Democrat narrative. It highlighted a significant gender dynamic, with results indicating that more men supported Trump while more women backed Harris. This trend is especially pronounced among young voters; in the 18-29 age group, 58% of women voted for Harris compared to 56% of men who favored Trump. These figures underscore an increasing partisan divide within Generation Z, where research shows young men are leaning more conservative while young women are embracing liberal values.
Gender influenced campaign strategies significantly. Harris and the Democrats focused on women’s rights and reproductive health, resonating with female voters. Trump appealed to young men feeling marginalized by societal changes. These dynamics reflect shifts in political affiliations among younger generations, crucial for shaping future policies. The president-elect embodies a particular masculinity: brash, straight-talking, sometimes domineering or patronizing around women—evident when he lurked behind Hillary Clinton during a 2016 debate. For some women who voted for him, this may be a familiar personality seen in their fathers and husbands.
For many men, Trump embodies “hegemonic masculinity,” where traits like aggression, control, and dominance are seen as admirable and highly valued. However, my research shows that proving masculinity doesn’t have to involve oppressing or subordinating others.
While this approach is more apparent, it poses significant risks to women’s rights. Trump’s circle includes men who reinforce the alpha male stereotype, belittle childless women, and advocate for family values that undermine women’s autonomy. It’s crucial to recognize these dynamics and promote a more inclusive understanding of masculinity that respects everyone’s rights and contributions.
During the campaign, Trump vowed to protect women “whether they like it or not,” suggesting men control everything, including women. This “protective masculinity” concept, where men protect women, has resurged in US society over recent decades, noted by political scientist Iris Marion Young in the early 2000s.
“The stance of the male protector … is one of loving self-sacrifice, with those in the feminine position as the objects of love and guardianship,” she wrote in a paper on the subject. “Chivalrous forms of masculinism express and enact concern for the wellbeing of women, but they do so within a structure of superiority and subordination.”
The structure of superiority and subordination is evident in popular culture and social media, where “manosphere” influencers like Andrew Tate (who denies charges of rape and human trafficking) promote traditional masculinity. Ideas about dating norms, such as men paying for meals or holding doors, harken back to when women had fewer rights and earning power. This view of masculinity also harms men by constraining their emotional health and relationships.
Susan Faludi’s 1992 book “Backlash” argued that women’s gains are often used against them. This seems evident with the rise of Trump, despite women making progress in education, employment, and politics. The 2022 overturning of Roe v Wade following Trump’s election makes it hard to foresee any strengthening of women’s rights in the US. Since the election, misogyny has surged on social media in response to Trump’s victory. One of the most viral posts has been from far-right influencer Nick Fuentes, who wrote “Your body, my choice. Forever”, on X (formerly Twitter)
Per Pew Research, 25% say people in the United States have mostly negative views of men who are “manly or masculine.” This is smaller than the shares who say people have mostly positive views of masculine men (43%) or that views are neither positive nor negative (31%).
Trump ally John McEntee joked about repealing the 19th Amendment which granted women the right to vote, sparking fear and anger among women worldwide following Trump’s election. Many are upset by Trump’s history of derogatory comments about women and legal issues, including a civil trial where he was found liable for sexually abusing writer E. Jean Carroll in 1996.
Women have long expressed concerns about personal safety and bodily autonomy, often dismissed by men as exaggerated. Women face daily threats like harassment and assault, feeling unsafe in public spaces at night. They need men to listen to their concerns rather than offer protection.
Considering the extensive coverage of young men gravitating towards the manosphere, it’s evident that this form of masculinity holds significant appeal for many. However, 25-year-old Jonah Bryson presents a compelling argument that the Trumpian perspective on manhood is, in fact, an indication of weakness. His viewpoint challenges us to rethink traditional notions and encourages a deeper understanding of true strength.
“I think strength and confidence is shown through how you take care of people, our planet and our country,” Bryson told Teen Vogue. “How you help out the least of these, so to speak, and how you support those who maybe aren’t as fortunate as you are.”
