2024 Election Centers on Gender and Masculinity

The 2024 U.S. election is witnessing a significant gender divide, particularly among young voters, with women overwhelmingly favoring Kamala Harris over Donald Trump. Recent polls show a stark contrast where women support Harris 58% to Trump's 37%, while young women exhibit a 38-point preference for her, highlighting Trump's failure to connect with female voters due to his policies on abortion and reproductive rights. Meanwhile, the election also features contrasting images of masculinity represented by Trump's running mate J.D. Vance and Harris's pick Tim Walz, with Vance embracing a traditional conservative view of family and criticizing progressive concepts, while Walz promotes vulnerability and inclusivity. The conversation around masculinity is central to the election, with many young men feeling politically adrift and less aligned with Democratic values, despite a general preference for Harris among women. This evolving dialogue is shaping campaign strategies as candidates aim to engage male voters in a post-#MeToo environment, where masculinity is increasingly questioned. Ultimately, the outcome will hinge not only on economic issues but also on perceptions of gender roles and identities in America.