Masculinity and Politics: Exploring the Connection Between Gender Ideals and Voting Trends

There has been a growing shift of young male voters towards right-wing politics, driven by feelings of alienation from progressive narratives that often overlook and dismiss their struggles. The right has capitalized on this by promoting hyper-masculine ideals that resonate with this demographic. This week, I welcome back Ruth Whippman, author of the book Boy Mom, to discuss how to foster emotional connections, have open dialogue and reimagine boyhood to help boys develop healthier and more inclusive identities. She joins me to discuss: The noticeable shift of young male voters towards right-wing politics How the left has struggled to effectively communicate a positive and inclusive narrative for boys and men That messages celebrating hyper-masculinity have resonated with young men, filling in a gap left by progressive movements  To connect with Ruth Whippman follow her on Instagram @ruthwhippman, check out all her resources at http://www.ruthwhippman.com/, join her Substack: I Blame Society and purchase her book Boy Mom: https://go.shopmy.us/p-65453995 (paid link). We’d like to know who is listening! Please fill out our Listener Survey to help us improve the show and learn about you! Our podcasts are also now on YouTube. If you prefer a video podcast with closed captioning, check us out there and subscribe to PedsDocTalk. Get trusted pediatric advice, relatable parenting insights, and evidence-based tips delivered straight to your inbox—join thousands of parents who rely on the PDT newsletter to stay informed, supported, and confident. ⁠⁠⁠Join the newsletter⁠⁠⁠! And don’t forget to follow ⁠⁠⁠@pedsdoctalkpodcast⁠⁠⁠ on Instagram—our new space just for parents looking for real talk and real support. We love the sponsors that make this show possible! You can always find all the special deals and codes for all our current sponsors on the PedsDocTalk Podcast Sponsorships page of the website.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices