Gen Alpha and Gen Z: Evolving Masculinity

“64% of men believe that “no one cares whether men are ok these days.”

At the Center for Scholars & Storytellers (CSS) at UCLA, our answer to that sentiment has always been a resounding "we do."

Since our inception, we have been dedicated to reimagining the representation of boys and men. In 2020, we released a foundational tip sheet for storytellers that has since moved from research labs into writers' rooms, directly influencing television production. Most recently, in 2025, we held a narrative change event in partnership with the CAA Foundation and Equimundo, bringing together legacy media creators, game developers, and social media influencers to begin a conversation about building a blueprint for the representation of an evolved masculinity.

Question asked to attendees: What surprised you most about the Designing a Blueprint event?

We believed that Gen Alpha and Gen Z cared about the representation of the men they were watching, but the data was sparse. Informed by our youth advisors and professional storytellers, we integrated targeted questions into our annual Teens & Screens survey, which was fielded in August 2025 and surveyed 1,500 adolescents (ages 10–24) across the United States. We present this data for publication in this report.

While we have been committed to this area since our founding, much of the rest of the world is only now waking up to the grave consequences of ignoring the male narrative. For years, creators and executives have operated under the assumption that young male audiences prefer, or at least expect, stoic, independent male heroes. The data from our 2025 snapshot shows that the next generation of viewers is eager for a version of masculinity rooted in connection. By centering emotional vulnerability and active parenting, creators have a rare opportunity to provide the authentic representation that young audiences are actively seeking.

Gen Alpha and Gen Z want to see more meaningful connections

(ages 10-24)

Adolescents Want To See Less vs. More On Screen

 Note: Graph shows percentage of respondents who answered wanting to see More/ Much More versus Less/ Much Less meaninggul connections on screen.

The most dominant finding of this study is a clear mandate for men in caregiving and affectionate roles. Out of all the portrayals we tested, seeing "fathers enjoying parenting" and "fathers showing love to kids" were the most requested portrayals.

Across the entire sample, the desire to see nurturing fathers versus not wanting to see them was nearly 5 to 1. This means that for every one person who might not be interested in these kinds of portrayals, five are actively asking for them.

While our survey specifically measured "fathers," the intensity of the response suggests a much broader hunger for connected masculinity. Young people are not just asking for better dads; they are asking for a reimagining of how men show up in the lives of others. Whether it is a father, mentor, coach, or teacher, the message from the audience was the same. We see this in popular shows such as Heated Rivalry and The Pitt. 

For decades, media has relied on the "stoic provider" or the "distant hero" as the default for adult men. Our data shows that by primarily showing men in positions of power or physical strength, we ignore the roles that young people value, defined by empathy, patience, and emotional availability.

Recent research from the National Research Group (NRG) found that boys are significantly more likely to cite superheroes as their primary role models than realistic, community-based figures. This "hero complex" often leaves young males believing that their value is tied to extraordinary, unattainable power rather than everyday human connection.

When we tie this to our findings, where nearly 60% of young people are specifically asking for more fathers who enjoy parenting and show love, it becomes clear that the current media landscape has created a gap between the lone wolf warrior boys see on screen and the nurturing, connected men they actually crave in their own lives.

Young people are saying that they want to see more men taking care of others, enjoying parenting and asking for help. To ignore this mandate is to remain out of step with the 5-to-1 majority of the next generation of viewers.

Regional Comparisons

Adolescents Want To See Less vs. More by Region

 Note: Graph shows percentage of respondents who answered wanting to see More/ Much More versus Less/ Much Less representation by region.

Sociological research provides a nuanced picture of how family stress and fatherhood archetypes differ across these regions. Notably, the West's strong demand may reflect its demographic diversity and a cultural openness to redefining traditional gender norms. Meanwhile, even in regions with stronger traditionalist norms — such as the South and Midwest — the desire for nurturing male portrayals remains substantial, suggesting this is a truly cross-regional mandate from the next generation of viewers.