One in two young Spaniards believes that feminism contributes to "political manipulation"
Nearly four out of ten young people in Spain consider themselves feminists, the lowest percentage since 2021
BarcelonaHalf of young Spanish men believe that feminism "is only used as a political tool for manipulation and indoctrination," details the latest barometer from the Fad Joventut Foundation. Nearly four out of ten young people in Spain (38.4%) consider themselves feminists, the lowest percentage since 2021 when it was 49.9%, according to the Fad Youth and Gender Barometer, which also shows how almost half perceive feminism as a "tool for political manipulation." Thus, the percentage of young people who identify as feminists falls to 38.4% in 2025. In 2017 it was 34.6%, reaching 49.9% in 2021 and standing at 42% in 2023. Therefore, it would have decreased by almost [a certain percentage]. However, 48.9% of young people perceive significant gender inequalities in Spain; This is the opinion of 61.4% of girls and 36.7% of boys.
This barometer, based on more than 3,000 interviews—half with young people between the ages of 15 and 29—delves into the evolution of romantic relationships, inequalities, and gender-based violence over the last 10 years. "Today, more young people do not identify as feminists," explained Anna Sanmartín, research director at Fad.
Control over the partner and stereotypes
The study, presented this Tuesday, also analyzes aspects related to relationships and violence. In this regard, 32.1% of young women say their partner has gotten angry because they didn't answer messages or calls immediately (17.5% of young men); 27.3% report that their mobile phone has been checked (17%) and 26.6% that they have been told who they can and cannot talk to (17.2%). 27.2% of those interviewed believe that research and science are fields more suitable for men, and between 36% and 45% associate sectors such as computer science, business management, or engineering primarily with men. At home, 56.2% say there is an equal division of tasks, but when this is not the case, 38.5% acknowledge that the work falls mainly on women; only 2.3% say it is done by men.