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The Growing Divide: Why Gen Z Women Are Embracing Left-Wing Politics
Across the US, a new generation of women is redefining what it means to be left-leaning. Born between 1997 and 2012, gen Z women are increasingly identifying as "leftist," with some even rejecting traditional labels like liberal or democrat.
For many, politics became personal after Trump's election in 2016. Raised by parents who were actively engaged in politics, these young women bring a unique perspective to the table. For Emily Gardiner, 23, being raised Indigenous has instilled in her a strong sense of sovereignty and community values that underpin her leftist views.
However, this leftward shift is not universal among gen Z women. A recent poll found that only 26% of gen Z women approve of Trump's job performance, compared to 47% of their male counterparts. The national average stands at 43%. Experts point to the impact of social media and internet algorithms as a significant factor in shaping young people's worldviews.
Social media platforms amplify extreme misogynistic content, which may have contributed to gen Z men believing that feminism has done more harm than good. In contrast, gen Z women are increasingly recognizing the connection between material conditions and social issues like abortion, trans rights, and queer rights.
For Rebecca J, 26, a trans woman from Washington DC, politics was never optional. She believes economic issues take precedence over social ones. "Economic issues are very important," she said. "All these social issues we're grappling with... they're all downstream of the economic issues."
As younger generations become more skeptical of meritocratic narratives and upward mobility, they're rejecting traditional labels like democrat or liberal. Rachel, 26, an office worker from Michigan, identifies as left but not liberal, citing that liberalism is still a capitalist ideology.
Gen Z women see politics as self-defense rather than negotiation. They believe both parties are in the pockets of billionaires and don't feel represented by those in power. For Lily, 24, issues like reproductive rights, economic inequality, and healthcare are at the forefront of her concerns.
This shift towards left-wing politics among gen Z women reflects a deeper connection to risk and proximity to systemic injustices. Born amidst climate crisis, debt, job insecurity, and authoritarianism, they see compromise as danger rather than civility. Their generation's focus on self-defense over negotiation marks a significant departure from older generations' approach to politics.
As these young women continue to shape the landscape of left-wing politics, their voices demand attention and representation. By embracing leftist ideologies, they're redefining what it means to be progressive and challenging traditional power structures. The question remains: will this shift towards left-wing politics lead to meaningful change or further polarization?
Across the US, a new generation of women is redefining what it means to be left-leaning. Born between 1997 and 2012, gen Z women are increasingly identifying as "leftist," with some even rejecting traditional labels like liberal or democrat.
For many, politics became personal after Trump's election in 2016. Raised by parents who were actively engaged in politics, these young women bring a unique perspective to the table. For Emily Gardiner, 23, being raised Indigenous has instilled in her a strong sense of sovereignty and community values that underpin her leftist views.
However, this leftward shift is not universal among gen Z women. A recent poll found that only 26% of gen Z women approve of Trump's job performance, compared to 47% of their male counterparts. The national average stands at 43%. Experts point to the impact of social media and internet algorithms as a significant factor in shaping young people's worldviews.
Social media platforms amplify extreme misogynistic content, which may have contributed to gen Z men believing that feminism has done more harm than good. In contrast, gen Z women are increasingly recognizing the connection between material conditions and social issues like abortion, trans rights, and queer rights.
For Rebecca J, 26, a trans woman from Washington DC, politics was never optional. She believes economic issues take precedence over social ones. "Economic issues are very important," she said. "All these social issues we're grappling with... they're all downstream of the economic issues."
As younger generations become more skeptical of meritocratic narratives and upward mobility, they're rejecting traditional labels like democrat or liberal. Rachel, 26, an office worker from Michigan, identifies as left but not liberal, citing that liberalism is still a capitalist ideology.
Gen Z women see politics as self-defense rather than negotiation. They believe both parties are in the pockets of billionaires and don't feel represented by those in power. For Lily, 24, issues like reproductive rights, economic inequality, and healthcare are at the forefront of her concerns.
This shift towards left-wing politics among gen Z women reflects a deeper connection to risk and proximity to systemic injustices. Born amidst climate crisis, debt, job insecurity, and authoritarianism, they see compromise as danger rather than civility. Their generation's focus on self-defense over negotiation marks a significant departure from older generations' approach to politics.
As these young women continue to shape the landscape of left-wing politics, their voices demand attention and representation. By embracing leftist ideologies, they're redefining what it means to be progressive and challenging traditional power structures. The question remains: will this shift towards left-wing politics lead to meaningful change or further polarization?