Democrats Face Gender Gap Threat Among Younger Voters

 Democrats Face Gender Gap Threat Among Younger Voters

 Democrats Face Gender Gap Threat Among Younger Voters

A potential gender gap among younger voters may imperil Democrats' traditional advantage with this demographic, crucial for President Joe Biden's re-election against former President Donald Trump.

While Democrats hope to mobilize younger women against abortion rights' rollback, younger men's discontent with changing gender roles may boost Trump's support. Both groups are dissatisfied with the economy and Biden's performance, but the abortion issue may galvanize young women, strategists agree.

For many young women, the loss of abortion rights symbolizes a broader threat to women's economic gains and gender roles. In contrast, younger men are less motivated by abortion and may be receptive to Trump's "Make America Great Again" message, which promises to restore traditional hierarchies. A Pew Research Center survey found that 40% of younger Trump-supporting men believe women's gains come at men's expense, exceeding the share of younger Biden-supporting men and older Trump-supporting men who agree.

This suggests cultural attitudes may help Biden among younger women but may reinforce Trump's economic appeal among younger men. Researchers note a growing partisan and ideological gap between younger men and women in Western democracies, with young men more likely to identify as conservative than young women.