More than a third of Gen Z men say wives should obey their husbands, recent study finds

A global survey finds a significant portion of Gen Z men support traditional marital roles, highlighting generational differences in gender attitudes.

A recent international survey reveals notable differences in how generations view gender roles in marriage. While younger men are often assumed to be the most progressive, the study shows that many Gen Z men continue to hold traditional beliefs about decision-making, independence, and expectations within relationships. The findings also point to a gap between personal opinions and perceived societal norms.

Generational differences in beliefs

The survey, conducted by Ipsos and the Global Institute for Women’s Leadership at King’s College London, included participants from 29 countries, including the UK, USA, Brazil, Australia, and India. Among the most striking findings was that more than a third of Gen Z men believe a wife should obey her husband and that men should have the final say in household decisions. By contrast, only 13-17% of Baby Boomer men agreed with these statements.

The survey also examined opinions about independence and self-sufficiency. Nearly 24% of Gen Z men agreed that a woman should not appear too independent, compared with just 12% of Baby Boomer men. Women were far less likely to hold these views. 18% of Gen Z women and only 9% of Baby Boomer women agreed. These results tell us that younger men are more inclined to hold traditional beliefs, while women across generations tend to support greater independence in marriage.

The duality of views in young men

Interestingly, the survey shows that Gen Z men are not uniformly traditional. While many endorse obedience and limited independence for women, they also show appreciation for modern qualities. For instance, 41% of Gen Z men said women with successful careers are more attractive, compared with 27% of Baby Boomers.

Kelly Beaver, Chief Executive of Ipsos UK, commented on this apparent contradiction:

“This year’s survey shows us that we are witnessing perhaps a great re-negotiation of how both men and women inhabit gender roles in today’s society. Particularly among Gen Z, our data shows an interesting duality. They are both the group most likely to agree that women who have a successful career are more attractive to men but are simultaneously most likely to agree that a wife should always obey her husband and that a woman should never appear too self-sufficient or independent.”

This duality illustrates how younger men may value independence and career success in women while still adhering to conventional household hierarchies and it tells us there’s a broader cultural and social shift happening.

Traditional masculinity and expectations of men

The survey also explored how Gen Z men perceive their own roles. Younger men are more likely than older generations to endorse traditional masculine norms, even while supporting equality in some areas.

For example, 43% of Gen Z men believe young men should aim to be physically tough, even if they are not naturally strong. 30% think men should avoid saying “I love you” to friends, and 21% believe men who take part in childcare are less masculine than those who do not.

By comparison, Baby Boomer men were far less likely to hold these beliefs. These findings indicate that while many young men may support gender equality in principle, cultural and social pressures continue to shape how they define masculinity and personal behavior.

Personal beliefs versus perceived social norms

One of the survey’s most interesting insights is the gap between personal beliefs and perceived societal expectations.

Globally, 31% of respondents said they believe society expects men to have the final word in household decisions, while only 21% personally agreed. In the UK, only 14% personally felt women should shoulder most childcare responsibilities, yet 43% believed society expects it.

Professor Heejung Chung of King’s College London spoke on the discrepancy between beliefs and expectations in young men and said, “It is deeply concerning to see traditional gender norms persisting today, and more troubling still that many people appear to be pressured by social expectations that do not actually reflect what most of us believe. Our data reveals a striking gap between people’s personal views, which are far more progressive, and what they imagine society demands of them. This gap is particularly pronounced among Gen Z men.”

Takeaway

The survey gives us some insight into Gen Z men’s attitudes toward gender roles. While younger men are more likely than older generations to endorse obedience and traditional decision-making, they also value career ambition and independence in partners. This mix of modern and traditional views highlights the tension point between societal expectations and personal beliefs.

Bridging this gap and encouraging open dialogue about gender norms is essential to fostering more flexible and equitable relationships worldwide. And of course, having a conversation with your partner about expected future roles is always key for both men and women.