The 2024 Election and the Resurgence of Traditional Gender Roles: A Cultural Shift?

The 2024 U.S. election marked a significant turning point in American politics, not just because of President Trump’s victory, but also due to the apparent resurgence of traditional gender roles. The election seemed to reflect a cultural shift, with many voters embracing a more conventional view of masculinity and femininity. This trend was particularly evident among Republicans, both men and women, who appeared to align themselves with ideals that emphasize distinct roles for men and women in society. The election results were not just a political victory but also a cultural one, as traditional gender norms gained renewed momentum.

The Trump Campaign and the Celebration of Masculine Energy

President Trump’s campaign was a focal point for this cultural shift. Trump himself has long been associated with a ‘traditional masculine’ archetype, often framing himself as a protector and a strong leader. His rhetoric during the campaign reinforced this image, as he claimed that women supported him because he was their “protector.” This narrative was further amplified by figures like J.D. Vance, Trump’s running mate, who criticized women without children as “childless cat ladies” in a 2021 interview. These comments, while controversial, resonated with a segment of the electorate that yearned for a return to traditional gender norms.

The rise of so-called “masculine energy” and the influence of the “manosphere” — a network of podcasters and online communities advocating for traditional masculinity — also played a role in shaping this cultural shift. Additionally, the emergence of “tradwives,” a subculture of women who embrace homemaking and domesticity, further reinforced the idea that traditional gender roles were gaining traction. These trends, once dismissed as fringe, now seemed to be entering the mainstream, with support from key political figures like Trump and Vance.

Data Reflects a Shift in Gender Traditionalism

While these cultural shifts may have seemed anecdotal, recent data now confirms that support for traditional gender roles is indeed on the rise, particularly among Republicans. Surveys conducted in 2024 reveal that both Republican men and women are increasingly embracing traditional gender norms. For instance, the percentage of Republican men who agree that women should return to their traditional roles increased from 28% in May 2022 to 48% in November 2024. Among Republican women, this number rose from 23% to 37%. In contrast, Democrats’ views on gender roles remained relatively stable during this period.

This shift in opinion is not limited to views about women’s roles. There has also been an increase in Republican support for traditional notions of masculinity. According to the Views of the Electorate Research Survey, a growing number of Republicans agree that “what it means to be a man has changed and I don’t think that has been good for society.” Approximately three-quarters of both Republican men and women now endorse this view. Similarly, surveys by the Public Religion Research Institute show that an increasing percentage of Republican men and women believe that “society as a whole has become too soft and feminine.” Among Republican men, this percentage increased from 68% in 2011 to 79% in 2024, while among Republican women, it rose from 41% to 67%.

The Politics of Gender: A Break from the Past

These changes in public opinion represent a significant departure from recent history. For decades, gender traditionalism had been in decline in the United States. Surveys from the American National Election Studies showed a steady decrease in the percentage of Americans who believed that “women’s place is in the home” — from nearly 30% in 1972 to just 6% in 2008. Similarly, the Pew Research Center documented a decline in the number of people who endorsed the idea that “women should return to their traditional role in society” between 1987 and 2012. However, this trend began to reverse in recent years, with Republicans leading the charge.

The timing of this shift suggests that it is closely tied to political dynamics rather than purely cultural or social changes. The earliest signs of this trend emerged in 2016, coinciding with Trump’s rise to prominence. While it is tempting to attribute this shift entirely to the influence of podcasters, tech moguls, or the tradwives of TikTok, the data suggests that broader political and cultural forces are at play. The increasing polarization of American politics appears to be extending into the realm of gender norms, with Republicans and Democrats diverging more sharply on these issues.

Changing Minds or Changing Expressions? The Debate Continues

There are at least two plausible explanations for the rise in gender traditionalism among Republicans. One possibility is that some Republicans are genuinely changing their minds in response to new information or cues from opinion leaders and media sources. Another possibility is that Republicans who always held traditional views on gender are now feeling more comfortable expressing those views openly. While both factors likely play a role, the data suggests that changing minds may be the more significant driver of this trend.

For example, while Republican attitudes about gender roles have shifted dramatically, their views on gender discrimination have remained relatively stable. Surveys that ask about perceptions of discrimination against women, such as whether “women often miss out on good jobs because of discrimination” or whether “women who complain about harassment often cause more problems than they solve,” show predictable partisan differences but no significant increase in conservative views over time. This suggests that the shift in gender traditionalism is not simply a matter of people becoming more comfortable expressing conservative attitudes but rather a genuine change in opinion.

The Gap Between Opinion and Behavior

While the rise in gender traditionalism among Republicans is notable, it is important not to overinterpret its implications. Public opinion does not always translate directly into real-world behavior, and it remains to be seen whether these shifting attitudes will lead to meaningful changes in how people live their lives. For example, while some women may identify with the tradwife movement and embrace homemaking, most women are not abandoning their careers or rejecting the idea of equality in the workforce. In fact, labor force participation among prime-age women has never been higher, and rates of marriage and childbirth are actually declining, particularly among women with less formal education.

Similarly, men are not universally embracing traditional masculine roles. Data from the U.S. government’s time-use survey shows that married men and women are becoming more similar in how they allocate their time, with men taking on more traditionally feminine tasks like housework and childcare. While women still spend more time on these activities, the trend suggests that societal norms are evolving in ways that blur the lines between male and female roles. These findings challenge the notion that the rise in gender traditionalism is driving a broader retreat into traditional roles.

Moreover, while a growing number of Republicans express concern that society has become “too soft and feminine,” this does not necessarily mean that they reject stereotypically feminine traits. Majorities of Americans, including many Republicans, still value qualities like affection and caregiving, even if they believe that these traits are underemphasized in modern society. At the same time, most people reject extreme forms of masculinity, such as aggression or promiscuity, and few endorse the idea that childlessness is inherently problematic.

The Broader Cultural Divide: Gender as a Political Fault Line

The rise in Republican support for traditional gender roles reflects a deeper cultural divide in American society, one that is growing more pronounced with each election cycle. While much attention is paid to the gender gap in voting behavior — with women tending to favor Democrats and men tending to favor Republicans — the more significant divide may be along lines of gender attitudes rather than gender identity.

The differences between Democrats and Republicans are not primarily about whether they are men or women but about how they think men and women should behave. Democrats tend to support a more egalitarian view of gender roles, while Republicans are increasingly aligning themselves with traditional norms. This divide islikely to deepen in the coming years, as issues like workplace equality, family leave policies, and LGBTQ+ rights continue to polarize the electorate.

In conclusion, the 2024 election highlighted a cultural shift in American politics, with traditional gender roles gaining renewed support, particularly among Republicans. This shift is driven by a combination of political rhetoric, media influence, and broader societal trends. While the data suggests that opinions are changing, it remains unclear whether these changes will translate into meaningful behavioral changes or enduring policy shifts. Nonetheless, the rise in gender traditionalism among Republicans marks an important moment in the ongoing debate about the role of gender in American society.