Press Release via The Lafayette Company:
WASHINGTON — During the opening of the 2026 Symposium on Young American Men, Cygnal, the 538 and New York Times top-rated political pollster in the U.S., released its nationwide survey of 800 men ages 18-30, the only of its kind in advance of the 2026 midterm elections. The poll, commissioned by The Lafayette Company, examines the unique social circumstances surrounding Gen-Z men, as well as their political and policy preferences just a few weeks before they go to the ballot box.
“Young men are divided on a lot, including their votes this fall. But nearly two-thirds of them, Republicans, Democrats and independents alike, say Washington should be doing more about the problems they face. That’s a rare point of agreement, and it’s an opening for both parties,” Alex Tarascio, principal and pollster at Cygnal, said.
“Young men don’t need another lecture about what’s wrong with them. The survey shows what’s right with the ones who are thriving: they have mentors, friendships built through shared activity and a place to be around other men,” Ellen Carmichael, founder and president of The Lafayette Company and creator of the Symposium on Young American Men said. “Young men who participate in single-sex organizations or activities, from fraternities to religious groups, are more likely to have all three. If policymakers want to help young men, they should start by listening to the leaders and organizations already doing this work and create more opportunities, not fewer, for men to interact, learn from and grow with each other.”
Quick Takeaways:
On the Midterms
Among young men most motivated to vote (9 or 10 on a 10-point scale), Democrats lead the generic congressional ballot by 17 points. Among the least motivated, Republicans lead by 13.
The gap comes from enthusiasm more than persuasion. 49% of Harris 2024 voters rate their determination to vote a 10 out of 10, compared with 36% of Trump 2024 voters. Only 13% of Harris voters fall in the low-determination group, compared with 23% of Trump voters.
On Well-Being and Their Futures
55% of young men say their life is on track, though only 14% say definitely on track. 40% say it is off track, including 17% who say definitely off track.
On Marriage & Family
Only 55% of men ages 18-30 want to get married. Nearly half of them don’t expect it to happen, or one in four young men overall.
On the Opposite Sex & Relationships
Nearly two-thirds of men ages 18 to 30 are not in a relationship. 35% are single and interested in a relationship, while 20% are single and not interested.
On Their Priorities
Asked what matters most to get right in their own lives, young men most often name earning enough to cover their costs (21%), their mental health (17%), their physical health (14%) and affording a place of their own (12%). Fewer point to career-track work (9%), faith or a sense of purpose (8%), friendships and community (6%) or finding a long-term relationship (5%).
To 52% of Gen-Z men, it is more important for them to stand out, while 37% feel it is more important to fit in.
On Single-Sex Spaces and Community Structures
21% say there is nowhere in their life where they spend time mostly around other men. Among men who are not working, that figure is nearly half.
46% say they have been part of an organization that made a real difference in their life. Churches and religious groups were named most often, followed by sports teams, and jobs, apprenticeships or trade programs.
Fraternity men are more likely than other young men to have a mentor (71% vs. 49%) and to be on a career track (67% vs. 42%). Only 4% lack a place to spend time with other men, compared with 25% of men who were never in a fraternity.
On Support Systems
When something goes seriously wrong, most young men turn first to their mother (20%), a spouse or partner (15%), their father (11%) or a friend (10%). But 15% turn to no one, and 7% turn to AI, like ChatGPT. That is more than turn to a mentor or coach (3%), a religious leader (2%) or a therapist (2%).
1 in 5 young men do not have anyone they could call if they needed help at 2 a.m.
Twice as many young men say their closest male friendships were built over time by doing things together (39%) as by talking openly about personal matters (19%). Another 29% say both equally.
10% of respondents have no close male friendships at all. Only 39% of those men say their life is on track, and 35% handle serious problems alone.
74% of young men talk with their male friends about faith, religion or spirituality at least rarely, if not occasionally or often.