Study at the University of Zurich One in three young men has a problematic male image

A new study conducted by the University of Zurich has revealed that nearly one-third of young men in Switzerland hold problematic views about masculinity. This finding comes from a representative survey titled "Männlichkeit im Wandel" ("Masculinity in Transition"), which examined the attitudes of over 6,000 individuals aged between 18 and 64 years across the country. The research was carried out by the Jacobs Center for Productive Youth Development at the university and was conducted in collaboration with the umbrella organization of Swiss men's and fathers' associations, "männer.ch." The study focused on topics such as gender roles, partnerships, sexuality, and equality. It marks the first time such data have been collected specifically for Switzerland. According to the findings, almost every third young man in the country holds a problematic image of masculinity, while approximately half of all young men fear that traditional notions of masculinity are being increasingly marginalized and pushed aside. These young men often show greater acceptance of violence and exhibit anti-women and anti-LGBTQ+ attitudes.

The study introduces a new indicator called the "Factor M," which measures various attitudes associated with traditional male roles. High values of Factor M indicate a worldview where masculinity is strongly linked with dominance, toughness, and exclusion. The researchers identified seven recommendations aimed at addressing these issues. One of the main suggestions is to encourage young men and boys to critically reflect on their gender role images. Another recommendation calls for schools to take more responsibility in incorporating themes related to gender roles, equality, and violence prevention into their curricula. Additionally, there is a call to address the influence of social media platforms such as TikTok, Instagram, and YouTube, where many young people encounter masculine ideals. The study suggests raising awareness among youth regarding the mechanisms of algorithms and the messages conveyed by so-called "manfluencers."

The researchers emphasize the importance of promoting relationship and sexual competence, suggesting that sex education should go beyond biological facts and include communication skills, mutual respect, handling rejection, and critical engagement with pornography. They also recommend expanding efforts to prevent violence, taking into account how traditional masculinity norms can play a role in domestic, familial, and public spaces. Support for young men facing difficult life situations is another key point, highlighting the need to provide educational and professional opportunities to reduce frustration and social exclusion. Lastly, the study underscores the central role of fathers, advocating for early support and offerings for fathers to help them become more actively involved in family and child-rearing.

According to the study, the results were unexpected for the research team. For instance, they had previously compared data from Germany three years ago, where 30 percent of young men expressed concern that "real men" were increasingly being pushed to the margins of society. In contrast, in Switzerland, 50 percent of young men shared similar concerns. Markus Theunert, a specialist and co-director of "männer.ch," explained that this discrepancy could be due to differences between countries or changes in societal dynamics over the past few years. He noted that young men in German-speaking Switzerland showed higher levels of Factor M than those in Western Switzerland or Ticino. The possible reason for this difference lies in the digital environments where young men in German-speaking regions frequently engage, known as the "digital Manosphere." This term refers to echo chambers on the internet where male superiority is emphasized and celebrated, often attributing current uncertainties among young men to women, feminism, and equality movements without acknowledging the long history of female discrimination and patriarchal structures in society.

The study highlights several potential factors contributing to these shifts in societal values, including the effects of the coronavirus pandemic, polarizing algorithms on platforms like TikTok, the ongoing war in Ukraine, the increasing presence of artificial intelligence in daily life, and the climate crisis. However, these remain areas open to interpretation. The expert emphasizes that it would be questionable to single out specific groups or individuals for blame when discussing these developments. Instead, he advocates for a broader understanding and collective effort to address the underlying issues. The study provides insights into the complex nature of masculinity in contemporary Swiss society and offers a foundation for future discussions and interventions aimed at fostering healthier and more inclusive perceptions of gender roles.