DEBATE: Why Do Gen Z Women Hate Men So Much? - #1094

Evolutionary psychology provides a framework for understanding contemporary gender tensions and the breakdown of traditional mating markets. Modern dating environments, saturated with social media, incentivize performative morality and "looks-maxing," as men struggle to provide traditional value in an increasingly egalitarian, status-driven world. Women’s rising pessimism and negative views toward men stem from a combination of risk-aversion, the desire for self-actualization, and the "social contagion" of emotional distress online. Psychological scales often mismeasure these dynamics by pathologizing natural preferences for protection and provisioning as sexism. Ultimately, the shift toward viewing relationships as brand partnerships and the reliance on digital signaling create a mismatch between ancestral mating adaptations and modern realities, leading to increased cynicism and a decline in long-term commitment.