Why ’tradwives’ and conservative values are resonating with Gen-Z

2025-02-25

A few years ago, commentators and analysts often raised the idea of a ‘youthquake’ - young, first-time voters coming in and shaking up the political landscape. It was after events like the School Strikes 4 Climate showed the power of youth mobilising around a common goal. Yet those youthquakes never happened – at least, not for left-leaning politicians. Instead, there’s been a shift to more conservative views among our youngest voters – and a yearning for the quote ‘good old days’ has seen trends l...

A few years ago, commentators and analysts often raised the idea of a ‘youthquake’ - young, first-time voters coming in and shaking up the political landscape.

It was after events like the School Strikes 4 Climate showed the power of youth mobilising around a common goal.

Yet those youthquakes never happened – at least, not for left-leaning politicians.

Instead, there’s been a shift to more conservative views among our youngest voters – and a yearning for the quote ‘good old days’ has seen trends like ‘trad wives’ and a ‘return to traditional family values’ skyrocket online.

It’s all while a recent UK survey found that 52 percent of 13- to 27-year-olds believe their country would be better with a “strong leader who does not have to bother with parliament and elections”.

Today on The Front Page, to discuss what’s shaping the youth of today, we’re joined by AUT University senior lecturer in Communication Studies, Christina Vogels.

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You can read more about this and other stories in the New Zealand Herald, online at nzherald.co.nz, or tune in to news bulletins across the NZME network.

Host: Chelsea Daniels
Sound Engineer/Producer: Richard Martin
Producer: Ethan Sills

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