What's happening?

What is the biggest divide of our time? Many would say age.

But recently, researchers have found a new divide: the gap between young men and women. It might become the biggest gap of our time.

Boys and girls, of course, have always been divided. But young people's political views were rarely that different across genderA person's gender identity (whether they feel like a man, woman or something else) is not the same as their biological sex (which is determined by genitals, hormones or chromosomes).. 

Some say this has now changed. Polls from 20 countries found that young women were much more likely to be liberalLiberalism is a school of political thought that stresses individual liberty. Liberals believe that society should not try to impose values or behaviours on individuals but should be tolerant of different lifestyles. A leading exponent of liberal thought was the 19th-century English philosopher John Stuart Mill, the author of the classic work On Liberty. than conservativeHolding traditional values, and in a political context, favouring policies such as private ownership. . Two decades ago there was no difference.

There are many reasons for this growing gap. One is education. At the end of British secondary schools, girls are almost 10 months ahead of boys in English. In many countries, more women are going to university than men.

Work is another. Once most high-earning jobs were held by men. Now that women can get these jobs too, men have more competition,

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These shifts make some men resentFeeling bitter or angry because you have been forced into a situation you do not like. women. In 27 European countries, men under 30 are more likely to believe that "advancing women's and girl's rights has gone too far" than men over 65.

But not everyone agrees that the gulf is so clear. ExpertSomeone who knows a lot about a particular subject. Ruth Dassonneville studied 30 countries and found the trends different in each. She says: "I'm not quite sure we're really at a place where we can say there's been dramatic change."

Are boys being left behind?

Yes! It seems clear as day - young men and women are heading in different directions. And it is women who are trending upwards.

No! Men have had more power and wealth than women for hundreds of years. Now women are finally on the road to equalityWhen everyone has equal rights and opportunities. . One day, things will be even.