When asked “What comes to mind when you hear the word ‘feminist’?”, respondents provided a wide range of instant reactions in Harbingers’ recent survey of Gen Z attitudes. From positive associations such as “equality” and “empowerment” to more critical terms like “annoying”, “radical” and “anti-man”.

Words such as “joke”, “stigma” and “misunderstood” also emerged, highlighting a greater gender divide, where a significant portion of young men appear to reject feminist ideals.

The survey, using feminism as an example, showcases how seemingly straightforward concepts can be interpreted in vastly different ways, demonstrating the impact of social media and the rise of anti-intellectualism among Gen Z.

Different definitions of feminism

The Harbingers’ survey, posted on social media, gathered 74 responses from young people aged between 13 and 21, and illustrates four broad perspectives on feminism among Gen Z.

Asked to explain what feminism is and what it means to them, almost half the respondents (33 responses: 20 young women and 13 young men) associate feminism with gender equality regardless of sex.

Lilien Venglovska, 16, from the Czech Republic, said that feminism “advocates for the social, political and economic equality of the sexes,” emphasising intersectionality. She stressed that feminism is about equality for all, not just women’s rights, and noted that different waves of feminism addressed various issues, such as suffrage, reproductive rights and workplace equality.

Another group of 15 respondents, equally split between men and women, see feminism as primarily about women’s rights. For Selma Alkadhi, 19, Lebanese and living in the UK, it means “fighting against discrimination based on gender”.

Sixteen respondents, also equally split between men and women, did not mention equality, but focused on women’s rights, expression and empowerment in the context of sexism. Aleksander Bourtakov, 16, from the UK, told Harbingers’ that the aim of feminism is “to bring attention to valuing women’s rights”.

Meanwhile, ten young men either expressed uncertainty or dismissed feminism altogether, some describing it as “a vehicle for women to complain”. Although this was the smallest group, their responses raise questions about how many young men see feminism as irrelevant or even “anti-male”.

What do young men think of feminism?

A 2024 Ipsos survey revealed that 60% of Gen Z men across 31 countries think that efforts towards women’s equality discriminate against men. While this does not mean they reject feminism, many perceive that strong support for women may inadvertently create a bias towards men. Several male respondents in the Harbingers’ survey echoed this concern.

For example, a 16-year-old from California (who wanted to remain anonymous) said that in his school feminism sometimes feels skewed, though he recognises the broader inequalities women face globally.

Arturo Saville, 17, from the UK, said that certain behaviours are not “socially acceptable” for boys, even if not strictly discriminatory, while confidence encouraged in girls can be discouraged in boys as “arrogant”.

Both acknowledged feminism’s positive impact despite occasional biases, a nuanced view not shared by all young men.

US political scientist Warren Farrell describes in his book The Boy Crisis how evolving gender norms have created an identity crisis for many young men, leading some to feel threatened by feminism. Some perceive feminism as a “women’s issue”, missing its broader relevance. This disconnect fuels misconceptions and polarising views.

How does social media come into play?

Marie Morali, 15, Polish-French, noted that social media has often “demonised” feminism by pushing it to the extremes – “hate all men or be housewives” – which frames complex issues in binary forms: “black or white”.

Alexis Koukousk, 16, from France, believes that feminism has a relatively bad reputation online, as it is often portrayed as “anti-male”, which leads to negative connotations. He added that while some feminist movements strive for the greater good, he thinks some online ‘feminist’ speeches disregard men and their abilities.

Selma Alkadhi said that feminism’s negative reputation online comes from the behaviour of a radical few whose “actions misrepresent its real aim”. She believes social media distorts feminism, pushing a skewed bias through echo chambers and social media algorithms. These algorithms prioritise sensational, hyperbolic content, creating a divide where young men are exposed to anti-feminist views (from the likes of Andrew Tate, Jordan Peterson and KSI), and women to pro-feminist content.

Two teens, Alicia Bocciarelli, 15, Russian-Italian, and Alvaro Acuña Urien, 16, Spanish, pointed to extreme narratives on social media such as “all men should be killed,” which “gives off a horrible image of feminism”. Alvaro explained that this ‘kill all men’ rhetoric misleads many into believing that feminism is extreme and “anti-male”.

A need for a shift in attitudes

The key takeaway here is that among the 74 Gen Z respondents to the Harbingers’ survey, there is a great gap in both the definition of and attitudes towards feminism. While some respondents approached the topic thoughtfully, globally many young people lack the same depth of understanding. With the world constantly changing, gender roles included, and the ever-growing influence of social media, this divide in perception is growing – not just in feminism but in broader issues.

Young people are increasingly turning to content that simply aligns with their views, bypassing research or balanced discussions. This reflects a rise in anti-intellectualism, particularly within Gen Z, where sensationalist social media fosters superficial understanding.

This trend undermines trust in scientific consensus, and fuels misinformation and political polarisation, as was particularly evident during COVID-19. On a personal level, it limits deep connections and constructive dialogue, contributing to a more divided society.

Anna Novoselova, 16, British-Russian and living in Monaco, noted that this anti-intellectualism has led to a “just let people enjoy things” mentality, where challenging differing views is dismissed. She argues, “even if your definition is not my definition, we can still meet in the middle”, and calls for a more open-minded approach. She calls for her generation to base opinions on facts and figures rather than biases, TikTok and Instagram content.