Study: One in three Generation Z men expects obedience from wife

The results of the latest international study on social attitudes have sparked a heated debate about the condition of contemporary masculinity and inter-gender relations. The data points to a clear renaissance of traditional values among men from Generation Z. This phenomenon, described by commentators as a return to patriarchal patterns, suggests that young men feel lost in the face of progressing female emancipation. One in three respondents in this age group explicitly declares that a woman in marriage should submit to her husband's will. This result is higher than for the baby boomer generation, undermining the theory of linear liberal progress and inevitable secularization of attitudes. This phenomenon is not limited to one country but is global in nature, encompassing Western Europe, Poland, and the United States. In sociology, this phenomenon is often linked to the theory of the social pendulum, where periods of intense cultural change are followed by a sharp turn towards conservatism as a form of seeking stability. Attitude analysis shows that young women from the same age group are moving in precisely the opposite direction, becoming the most progressive cohort in history. This creates an unprecedented ideological gap between the genders, which may impact the future of the institution of marriage and demographics. Experts point out that the radicalization of young men is influenced by social media algorithms promoting content based on so-called toxic masculinity. These patterns, often simplifying complex social problems into a battle of the sexes, find fertile ground among those fearing the loss of social and economic status. The rise in support for the traditional division of roles goes hand in hand with antipathy towards feminist movements, which are perceived by a significant portion of young men as a threat to their identity. „Siamo di fronte a una generazione retro che cerca rifugio in un passato che non ha mai conosciuto.” (We are facing a retro generation that seeks refuge in a past it has never known.) — Italian writer and journalist, columnist for Corriere della Sera, commenting on the phenomenon of the 'retro generation'. Commentators emphasize that the lack of a constructive model of modern masculinity pushes young people towards extreme, archaic attitudes, which in consequence may lead to increased social tensions and political polarization. Much indicates that traditional family models are becoming an attractive alternative for them in the face of the uncertainty of the modern job market and the crisis of social bonds. Researchers note that this trend is particularly strong in developed countries, where traditional social structures have eroded the fastest. The expectation of obedience from partners is interpreted not only as a desire for dominance but primarily as an expression of fear of a changing world in which men's former privileges are no longer a given. 33% — of young men expect obedience from their wife

Perspektywy mediów: Emphasizing female emancipation as a success and pointing to the toxic influence of algorithms on the radicalization of young men. Presenting the phenomenon as a natural defensive reaction to a crisis of male identity and a search for stable family foundations.