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Gen Z and Gen Alpha want to see caring dads and vulnerable men in movies and TV
UCLA Newsroom ^ | February 25, 2026

Posted on 05/30/2026 3:12:29 PM PDT by CondoleezzaProtege

Center for Scholars & Storytellers at UCLA study finds Gen Z and Gen Alpha want to see caring, affectionate dads and men showing vulnerability in movies and TV, rejecting outdated masculine stereotypes.

Joyful fatherhood was the single most requested portrayal of masculinity by adolescents surveyed by the researchers, with nearly 60% of young people asking to see more fathers openly showing love and enjoying parenting.

46% of respondents are seeking content that shows men asking for help, including with their mental health.

"For today’s young audiences, the most compelling hero isn’t the one standing alone, but the one who has the courage to be present.”


(Excerpt) Read more at newsroom.ucla.edu ...


TOPICS: Society; TV/Movies
KEYWORDS: fatherhood; film; genalpha; genz; masculinity; men; pussification; tv
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To: CondoleezzaProtege

At this point, anytime a “survey” says anything one assumes that it’s just what the people who did the survey want you to think and nothing more than that. It all depends on what they ask, what the possible answers are, and who they ask.


21 posted on 05/30/2026 5:49:29 PM PDT by x
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To: CondoleezzaProtege

The Winstons - Color Him Father
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PPrJKUvom1s

This is how a “real” dad is, even if he’s a step-dad.


22 posted on 05/30/2026 5:50:38 PM PDT by dfwgator ("I am Charlie Kirk!")
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To: CondoleezzaProtege

23 posted on 05/30/2026 6:00:27 PM PDT by Bratch
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To: CondoleezzaProtege
Another classic caring dad

24 posted on 05/30/2026 6:17:47 PM PDT by VictoryGal (Never give up, never surrender!)
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To: CondoleezzaProtege

I don’t know but that these responses sound prompted.


25 posted on 05/30/2026 6:17:57 PM PDT by TalBlack (Their god is government. Prepare for a religious war.https://freerepublic.com/perl/post?id=4322961%2)
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To: CondoleezzaProtege

I never said there wasn’t. All men have their struggles.


26 posted on 05/30/2026 6:36:13 PM PDT by Secret Agent Man (Gone Galt; not averse to Going Bronson.)
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To: CondoleezzaProtege

One of the most heartwarming, family-oriented comedies just wrapped up its final episode after seven years on CBS—The Neighborhood. The show creator also did The Big Bang. It’s about a black family and a white family living next door to each other in Los Angeles, both with growing or grown sons, and the wives working in the same school. Clean humor, clever comparisons of white and black stereotypes but no preaching or wokeism, and lots of laughs. I will really miss that show.


27 posted on 05/30/2026 7:08:42 PM PDT by Albion Wilde (The first duty of the American government is to protect American citizens, not illegal aliens. --DJT)
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To: dfwgator

Releasing our secret
Turn in your mancard


28 posted on 05/30/2026 7:38:48 PM PDT by Keyhopper (Indians had bad immigration laws)
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To: CondoleezzaProtege

Bullcrap. The Center for Scholars & Storytellers at UCLA wants to see that, I highly doubt they really spoke to or give a single damn about what those generations want.


29 posted on 05/30/2026 7:55:05 PM PDT by Frank Drebin (And don't ever let me catch you guys in America!)
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To: CondoleezzaProtege
Caring men aren’t vulnerable.

They will kick your ass (verbally and/or physically) if you do something wrong, stupid, or amoral/illegal. They will also work hard to provide for you. And, they will die to protect and defend you, so long as you are worthy of it.

Those three things generally don’t leave much time for being “vulnerable”.

30 posted on 05/30/2026 8:24:23 PM PDT by Sicon ("All animals are equal, but some animals are more equal than others." - G. Orwell)
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To: TauntedTiger
I think they forgot to clarify that it’s Gen Z and Gen Alpha CHICKS who want to see this—not dudes (and I hope I’m wrong about the ladies).

There is a between what woman tells a surveyor, or even a best friend, or even herself, what she wants, That can be quite different from what she responds to. For decades, polled women say they are most drawn to a man who is funny, and can make them laugh. The real life results generally did not match the surveys.
31 posted on 05/30/2026 8:29:06 PM PDT by Dr. Sivana ("Whatsoever he shall say to you, do ye." (John 2:5))
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To: VictoryGal

YES! It was actually one of the films that came to mind (To Kill a Mockingbird) - Thank you for posting. :)


32 posted on 05/30/2026 8:48:12 PM PDT by CondoleezzaProtege (🩰🎶)
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To: Dr. Sivana; Frank Drebin; Sicon; TalBlack; x
The suicide & overdose rate is still way too high among American men, especially working class. Among elites: Tiger Woods is currently in rehab, and hockey legend Claude Lemieux took his own life this week.

There is room for quintessential ‘masculine’ boys & men confronting genuine mental & spiritual struggles...

^ And to add: there is a beautiful Bible verse where St. Paul recounts God comforting him in the middle of struggle with these words:

"My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness."

"Vulnerability" does not equate to failure, it's a reminder of man's need for God.

33 posted on 05/30/2026 8:56:33 PM PDT by CondoleezzaProtege (🩰🎶)
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To: Dr. Sivana

Money is what wins over the women statistically in real life. It’s been that way for a long time.


34 posted on 05/31/2026 6:04:15 AM PDT by Codeflier (Don't worry....be happy)
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To: Codeflier

The apple is metaphorical money


35 posted on 05/31/2026 6:06:27 AM PDT by bert ( (KE. NP. +12) Quid Quid Nominatur Fabricatur)
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