Haven’t we had more progress before? Women have been fighting for gender equality for generations. Especially in working life – like us at herCAREER!

On the one hand, I observe that women are becoming more and more emancipated and (not least financially) independent. On the other hand, I have the impression that many men feel increasingly left behind or lost, that masculinity has apparently become more and more complex (and complicated) – which triggers fears and can lead to aggressiveness and radicalization. There are already talks of a “generation of fear” in Great Britain. How does our society deal with this? We would also like to talk about this at the upcoming herCAREER Expo.

What has me worried are the results of a recent study conducted in 30 countries by Ipsos UK and the King’s Global Institute for Women’s Leadership, led by Prof. Heejung Chung: Men and women of Generation Z (born between 1995 and 2010) are more divided than any other generation on key issues of gender equality, women’s rights and feminism.

In detail:

  • „I define myself as a feminist.“

    • This is agreed to by Gen Z, 53% of women and 32% of men: a gap of 21 percentage points.
    • Millennials: 46 % of women and 32 % of men (Gap: 14 points)
    • Gen X: 37 % and 29 % (Gap: 8 P.)
    • Babyboomer: 39 % and 28 % (Gap: 11 P.)

  • „Is a man who stays at home to look after his children less of a man?“

    • This is agreed to by Gen Z 28 % of men and 19 % of women.
    • Millenials: 25 % of men and 22 % of women
    • Gen X: 18 % and 14 %
    • Babyboomer: 12 % and 9 %

  • „Are men being expected to do too much to support equality?“

    • This is agreed to by Gen Z 60 % of men and 38 % of women.
    • Millenials: 57 % of men and and 41 % of women
    • Gen X: 54 % and 37 %
    • Babyboomer: 44 % and 31 %

  • „Have we gone so far in promoting women’s equality that we are discriminating against men?“

    • This is agreed to by Gen Z 57 % of men and 36 % of women.
    • Millenials: 56 % of men and 39 % of women
    • Gen X: 51 % and 33 %
    • Babyboomer: 44 % and 29 %

  • „There is tension between men and women in society today.“

    • This is agreed to by Gen Z 62 % of women and 55 % of men; the gap is small here. Average: 59 %
    • Millenials: Average 54 %
    •  Gen X: 47 %
    • Babyboomer: 40 %

There are large national differences, particularly in the last question: in South Korea, for example, 76%, in Great Britain and Germany 40%.

Heejung Chun: „Although progress has been made since last year, significant divisions remain in how people perceive gender equality in many societies (…). This divide is often fuelled by politicians and media who capitalize on a zero-sum game narrative – framing the advancement of women as the cause of broader societal grievances, such as the decline of well-paid, secure jobs. (…)
We must find ways to bridge this divide and ensure that progress towards gender equality benefits everyone, without leaving anyone behind.”

We are also convinced that gender equality benefits everyone – whether female or male, young or old, here and everywhere!  That’s what herCAREER Expo 2025 is all about. We’re looking forward to the big get-together on October 9th/10th!

herVIEW - Natascha Hoffner

Posted by Natascha Hoffner,Founder & CEO of herCAREER | Recipient of the FTAfelicitas Award from Femtec.Alumnae e.V. | LinkedIn Top Voice 2020 | Editor of the “Women of the Year” books published by Callwey Verlag
posted on LinkedIn on 30.04.2025

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