A new study from the Center for Scholars & Storytellers (UCLA) finds that young audiences aged 10 to 24 are rejecting outdated on-screen portrayals of men as stoic and emotionally distant.
The research, titled Evolving Masculinity, surveyed 1,500 adolescents across the United States to better understand how Gen Z and Gen Alpha want masculinity represented in film and television.
According to the study’s findings, young viewers are calling for male characters who are emotionally available, affectionate and open about vulnerability. Nearly 60% of respondents said they want to see more portrayals of “joyful fatherhood,” with dads openly expressing love and taking pride in parenting.
“Our findings reveal a profound cultural shift: youth are craving a version of masculinity defined by emotional availability and joyful connection,” said Yalda T. Uhls, founder and CEO of CSS and the study’s senior author and adjunct professor in UCLA’s psychology department.
Additionally, 46% of those surveyed expressed a desire for storylines that show men asking for help, particularly when it comes to mental health.
Importantly, the study highlights that this shift is not limited to younger children. Respondents aged 15 to 24 also showed a strong preference for nurturing, emotionally mature male role models.
“It might be easy for someone making a teen or young adult show to say: This really only applies to younger kids. But we see from ages 15 to 24, young people still prefer nurturing, emotionally available men, who serve as positive models of masculinity for them,” said Matt Puretz, CSS senior researcher and co-author of the Teen Snapshot report.
According to CSS, today’s youth no longer see the ideal hero as the strong, silent figure who stands alone. Instead, they are drawn to men who can communicate their emotions, build meaningful connections and demonstrate care.
The report ultimately calls on content creators to embrace more inclusive, hopeful and emotionally resonant portrayals of masculinity in order to better connect with young audiences.
“By highlighting these narratives of partnership and care, storytellers can offer a vision of masculinity rooted in hope and love. For today’s young audiences, the most compelling hero isn’t the one standing alone, but the one who has the courage to be present.”
