Shocking Poll Reveals Only 11% of Young Women View Men Positively
A startling new survey commissioned by the New Statesman has uncovered a profound gender divide in contemporary Britain. The poll, which interviewed 2,000 British women aged 18 to 30, found that a mere 11% hold a 'very positive' view of men. Furthermore, only 35% of women under 25 view men in a positive light at all. The research indicates that women under 30 are three times more likely to hold a negative opinion of men compared to their older counterparts.
A Context of Disrespect and Violence
This disillusionment emerges against a backdrop of highly publicized incidents that reinforce negative perceptions. Just last week, the President of the United States used social media to demand a female newsreader be taken off air, criticizing her voice and appearance. In the same period, an advert at Bristol Airport promoted a female AI colleague who would 'never ask for a pay rise.'
More gravely, the United Nations reports that, on average, 137 women are killed every day by men. Recent UK headlines have been dominated by cases of male violence: the conviction of a man for a prolonged sexual assault on a 13-year-old girl on a train; an 11-year sentence for a man who killed his wife as she jumped from a bridge to escape him; and a prolific upskirter who targeted 20 women in one evening.
Psychotherapist Natasha Silverman observes that 'women are totally disillusioned when it comes to relationships with men.' Those polled cited men's disregard for political issues and an excessive focus on sexual desires as key reasons for their negative views.
Male Voices React to the Findings
In response to these stark statistics, Metro sought perspectives from nine men, asking for their honest reactions to why women might view them so negatively.
Matt, 52, expressed frustration, stating, 'All men are judged by the actions of a vanishing minority... it still hurts to think that I’m viewed as a potential rapist until proven otherwise.' He questioned the fairness of treating 'all men' based on the behavior of a few, highlighting the impact on teenage boys facing such 'discrimination.'
Jay, 46, a father of two girls, offered a contrasting view. 'With the dominance of male leaders across the world and men shouting and asserting authority, it’s not surprising to me that women view men the way they do,' he said. He referenced the phrase 'not all men but always men,' agreeing that men have lacked accountability. 'If women don’t like me, I don’t blame them at all,' he added.
Jaskaran, 35, reflected on performative masculinity. 'The current version of masculinity... is nothing but a loud scorecard,' he explained, describing a culture where men seek validation from other men through boasts about conquests and control. 'When an entire generation of women grows up interacting with that version of men… of course it leaves a mark.'
Pat, 64, warned that demonization could widen the divide. 'I think the more women demonise us, the bigger the divide becomes... it just means the problem is going to get even worse.'
John Anthony, in his 40s, shifted the focus from liking to alliance. 'It’s not about whether women 'like' men—it’s about whether young women see men as allies in their goals vs obstacles,' he argued. He pointed out that young women have watched 'dudes fumble basic emotional intelligence' and treat dating superficially.
Sam, 30, noted the disproportionate impact of bad actors. 'There’s a lot of good men out there, but it only takes one bad one to have a much bigger negative impact which offsets the good of the nice guys.'
Fidel, 49, a father of three daughters, identified a dual problem: the calling out of toxic male behavior and an algorithm-driven narrative that feeds young women negativity about men. 'No one responds well to having fingers pointed at them,' he said, calling for 'good' men to become more vocal and visible while listening to women's concerns.
Luca, 31, expressed understanding. 'Given the history of misogyny and longstanding patriarchal society... it’s not difficult to acknowledge their doubts and frustrations in men.' He expressed hope that women would still recognize the 'good men out there.'
Greg, 33, a father, highlighted the influence of harmful online content on boys. 'Certain influencers have a very strong hold over boys and young men,' he said, advocating for better digital controls. 'The behaviours and motives of some men is quite shocking, and it tarnishes others who try to spread a more positive message.'
The Campaign for Change
This discussion aligns with Metro's ongoing campaign, 'This Is Not Right,' launched in November 2024 to address the epidemic of violence against women. In partnership with Women's Aid, the campaign aims to highlight the scale of this national emergency and foster dialogue towards solutions.
The poll and the male reactions it has provoked underscore a critical moment in gender relations. While the statistics reveal deep-seated female disillusionment, the male perspectives range from defensive to empathetic, highlighting a complex landscape where accountability, perception, and the actions of a minority shape the view of the majority. The path forward, as suggested by several men, may lie in positive male role modeling, open dialogue, and a collective effort to redefine masculinity in a way that earns back trust.
