One in two young Spaniards believes that feminism contributes to "political manipulation"

BarcelonaFeminism is in retreat. Half of young Spanish men (51.5%) believe that feminism "is only used as a political tool for manipulation and indoctrination," according to the latest Youth and Gender Barometer published this Tuesday by the Fad Youth Foundation. Almost a decade has passed since the emergence of the Me Too movement and the massive demonstrations that placed feminism in its fourth wave, but today the population between 15 and 29 years old identifies as less feminist than their older counterparts.

Ideas about feminism

Specifically, the percentage of young people who identify as feminists falls to 38.4% in 2025, more than 10 points from the all-time high of 48.9% recorded in 2021. In this barometer of feminism, which the barometer began measuring in 2018, those who identified as feminists fell from 30% to 42% in 2023. However, half maintain that achieving "real equality" is important.

This paradox, according to the authors of the study, is indicative of the "coexistence, adherence and distrust" towards the feminist movement, in which it is clear that differences are not homogeneous, neither between genders nor between generations, since the behavior of young people reflects the tensions that exist in Spanish society regarding equality. Among the general population, 42% define themselves as feminists, and those in their 30s are the most likely to identify with this ideology (52%). By gender, the perception that there are significant inequalities between men and women reaches almost half the population, but this perception is more deeply ingrained in women (62%) than in men (37%). In the workplace, a third of those surveyed claim that there is no gap, which shows a lack of understanding of the significant structural inequalities that exist in society. This barometer, based on more than 3,000 interviews—half of them with young people between 15 and 29 years old—delves into the evolution of affective relationships, inequalities, and gender violence over the last ten years. "Today, more young people do not feel feminist," explained Anna Sanmartín, research director at Fad, who stressed that this is partly because boys grow up feeling "disadvantaged" compared to their female peers or because the fight for equality is not seen as a viable option. "He's gone too far".

Control in the couple and stereotypes

Gender stereotypes are deeply ingrained among young people, especially boys. Women report feeling pressured about their appearance, household chores, romantic relationships—for example, to avoid disappointing anyone or to hide sadness—and to achieve professional or academic success, while men perceive pressure related to leadership, sexual success, and the obligation to earn money. The study also analyzes aspects related to relationships and violence. Although a large majority value personal autonomy, responsibility, and respect, they have also internalized the idea of ​​being controlled by their partners. In this regard, 32% of young women say their partner has gotten angry because they didn't immediately answer messages or calls, compared to 17.5% of boys; 27% of girls report having their phones checked (17% of boys), and 26.6% of girls report being told who they can and cannot talk to (17% of boys). Nearly half also believe that having a partner implies absolute commitment and that a relationship is for life. Compared to 2017, the percentage in this category has increased by 20 points, and it is noted that young people are more tolerant of this control than their parents. Furthermore, 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% state that 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 that men do it.