While young women continue to be the most progressive demographic, the shift among Gen Z men towards traditional beliefs marks a significant departure from the generally progressive attitudes expected of younger generations.

Political analyst Peter Lewis notes that young men often feel overlooked in public discourse, which could explain their growing receptiveness to authoritarian leadership styles.

Professor Steven Roberts points out that social media algorithms tend to amplify controversial content that promotes toxic masculinity, creating a cultural environment where these views can thrive.

Despite these trends, recent polling shows that young Australian men are still gravitating towards left-wing candidates, indicating a complex political landscape with only modest differences in voting intentions between genders.

Erin Clarke from the e61 Institute emphasizes that the reversal in attitudes among young men may be linked to diverse social media influences and a backlash against evolving gender roles.

In a striking regression, Gen Z men now hold more traditional gender beliefs than men aged 55 to 64, highlighting a concerning reversal in progressive views.

Roberts further argues that the resurgence of regressive masculinity is influenced by economic precarity and societal changes following significant political events, including the election of Donald Trump.

The COVID-19 pandemic has exacerbated these trends, contributing to a 'perfect storm' for the normalization of conservative masculinity among young men.

Polling data indicates a political shift, with young men in Australia drifting to the right, mirroring trends seen in the United States during Trump's presidency.

Research from the e61 Institute reveals a troubling trend among Australian Gen Z men, aged 15 to 28, who are increasingly embracing traditional gender norms compared to their Millennial and Gen X counterparts.

Commentators suggest that this shift may stem from various factors, including a backlash against the #MeToo movement, changing economic opportunities, and the influence of social media figures like Andrew Tate.

While the majority of Gen Z does not endorse extreme views on gender, there is a concerning rise in 'hardcore' groups that perpetuate harmful traditional masculine norms, contributing to societal issues such as violence against women.