A recent Gallup poll finds that American men under 30 are more likely than young women to describe religion as “very important” in their lives.
The results appear to reflect a generational shift, as young women have tended to be more religious than their male peers. The poll found that adult women aged 30 and over continue to report higher levels of religiosity than men.
The Gallup poll found that 42% of men between the ages of 18 and 29 described religion as “very important,” compared to 28% in 2022–2023. Young women have stayed at around 30%. Gallup began tracking this data in 2000.
The data shows concentrated growth among young Republican men. Weekly religious attendance among that group has been climbing since 2019, while attendance among young Democratic men has largely declined.
Similarly, about 60% of young Republican women attend services at least monthly, compared to roughly 25% of young Democratic women.
Political scientist Ryan Burge told The Associated Press that this resulted from young women viewing organized religion as patriarchal and at odds with their choices about personal bodily autonomy and LGBTQ rights.
“Women are viewing religion as patriarchal,” Mr. Burge said. “It feels repressive to them.”
He said young men are drawn to religion because it has provided a sense of community and belonging.
“It’s the only place where you don’t have to apologize for being a White man,” he said. “American religion is very White male-dominated, and young men are drawn to institutions that elevate them and give them influence and power.”
The poll also found notable differences on questions regarding divorce, abortion and homosexuality, with young men far more likely than young women to view those subjects as morally wrong.
