A new study from the Center for Scholars & Storytellers at UCLA reveals a striking cultural shift in how young people want men portrayed on screen, and it has Hollywood watching.
Researchers surveyed 1,500 Americans ages 10 to 24 and found that today’s youth overwhelmingly want to see boys and men who are emotionally open, connected, and nurturing, especially in fatherhood roles.
Joyful, affectionate dads were the single most requested male portrayal, with nearly 60 percent of respondents saying they want to see more men showing love and enjoying parenting. Among the youngest group — ages 10 to 14 — that demand grew even stronger.
The study also found that 46 percent of young people are looking for depictions of men asking for help, including support for mental health. They say that breaks away from old stereotypes of stoicism and detachment.
“Youth are craving a version of masculinity defined by emotional availability and joyful connection,” said Yalda T. Uhls, senior author of the study and founder of CSS. “For today’s young audiences, the most compelling hero isn’t the one standing alone, it’s the one who dares to be present.”
The desire for so-called “connected masculinity” was consistent nationwide, including in rural areas and the American South — regions often thought to hold more traditional views of gender roles.
While the hunger for nurturing male figures softens slightly with age, it remains strong even among young adults, with older respondents still favoring emotionally available male characters by nearly three-to-one.
The findings add to a growing conversation about how media shapes identity and what kinds of stories resonate with the next generation.
KFI’s Entertain Me host Heather Brooker spoke with the study’s co-author Matt Puretz to find out more about the shift in what kids want to see on screen and why Hollywood writers and producers should listen up.
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