The Lafayette Company · Young American Men Survey 2026

Codebook

Every question, answer option and figure, with the terms of use.

Survey: Young American Men Survey 2026
Author and publisher: The Lafayette Company
Fielded by: Cygnal, September 15–18, 2026
Sample: 800 registered voters, men aged 18 to 30, margin of error ±3.46%
Released: September 24, 2026, at the Symposium on Young American Men
Figures: Percent of respondents. Multi-select questions are marked; their options sum past 100.
Cite as: Symposium on Young American Men, Young American Men Survey 2026, youngamericanmen.com/data/2026

Terms of use

Figures may be quoted with credit to the Symposium on Young American Men and a link to the source page. Charts may be embedded or reproduced unaltered.

The dataset may not be modified or redistributed.

Q1 · Politics · election-determination
Election Determination
On a scale of 0 to 10, how determined are you to vote in the November 3rd general election for U.S. House of Representatives and other state offices, with 0 meaning not determined at all and 10 meaning extremely determined?
1. 0, not determined at all7.1
2. 11.9
3. 21.1
4. 32.9
5. 43.1
6. 511.6
7. 66.6
8. 79.4
9. 812.3
10. 97.5
11. 10, extremely determined33.2
12. Unsure3.3
Chart (PNG)Embed
Q2 · Politics · generic-ballot-high
Generic Ballot (High Determination: 9–10)
If the election was held today, and you had to make a choice, would you vote for the Republican or Democratic candidate for U.S. House of Representatives?
1. Definitely the Republican candidate27.0
2. Probably the Republican candidate12.6
3. Probably the Democratic candidate13.8
4. Definitely the Democratic candidate43.3
5. I would not vote for either one0.0
6. Unsure3.4
Chart (PNG)Embed
Q3 · Politics · generic-ballot-mid
Generic Ballot (Mid Determination: 6–8)
If the election was held today, and you had to make a choice, would you vote for the Republican or Democratic candidate for U.S. House of Representatives?
1. Definitely the Republican candidate21.3
2. Probably the Republican candidate25.5
3. Probably the Democratic candidate22.6
4. Definitely the Democratic candidate22.5
5. I would not vote for either one0.0
6. Unsure8.1
Chart (PNG)Embed
Q4 · Politics · generic-ballot-low
Generic Ballot (Low Determination: 0–5)
If you did end up voting this November, would you vote for the Republican or Democratic candidate for U.S. House of Representatives?
1. Definitely the Republican candidate14.7
2. Probably the Republican candidate24.2
3. Probably the Democratic candidate19.0
4. Definitely the Democratic candidate7.4
5. I would not vote for either one16.5
6. Unsure18.3
Chart (PNG)Embed
Q5 · Politics · combined-generic-ballot
Combined Generic Ballot
The three determination groups combined: every young man's answer to whichever version of the ballot question he was asked.
1. Definitely the Republican candidate21.5
2. Probably the Republican candidate19.2
3. Probably the Democratic candidate17.5
4. Definitely the Democratic candidate26.5
5. I would not vote for either one5.1
6. Unsure10.3
Chart (PNG)Embed
Q6 · Politics · image-donald-trump
Image: Donald Trump
Do you have a favorable or unfavorable opinion of Donald Trump?
1. Very favorable20.3
2. Somewhat favorable17.4
3. Somewhat unfavorable12.2
4. Very unfavorable43.1
5. No opinion6.0
6. Never heard of1.0
Chart (PNG)Embed
Q7 · Politics · image-jd-vance
Image: JD Vance
Do you have a favorable or unfavorable opinion of JD Vance?
1. Very favorable15.8
2. Somewhat favorable21.2
3. Somewhat unfavorable14.8
4. Very unfavorable32.1
5. No opinion11.8
6. Never heard of4.4
Chart (PNG)Embed
Q8 · Politics · image-republican-party
Image: The Republican Party
Do you have a favorable or unfavorable opinion of The Republican Party?
1. Very favorable19.6
2. Somewhat favorable20.6
3. Somewhat unfavorable17.2
4. Very unfavorable31.3
5. No opinion9.4
6. Never heard of1.8
Chart (PNG)Embed
Q9 · Politics · image-democratic-party
Image: The Democratic Party
Do you have a favorable or unfavorable opinion of The Democratic Party?
1. Very favorable19.0
2. Somewhat favorable25.0
3. Somewhat unfavorable21.7
4. Very unfavorable23.5
5. No opinion8.5
6. Never heard of2.3
Chart (PNG)Embed
Q10 · Life & work · life-on-track
Life On Track
Thinking about where you are in life right now, would you say your life is on track or off track?
1. Definitely on track13.9
2. Mostly on track40.9
3. Mostly off track22.6
4. Definitely off track17.2
5. Unsure5.4
Chart (PNG)Embed
Q11 · Life & work · young-men-priority
Young Men Priority
Thinking about your own life right now, which one of the following is the most important thing for you to get right?
1. Earning enough to cover my costs20.8
2. My mental health16.9
3. My physical health13.7
4. Affording a place of my own11.5
5. Finding or keeping career-track work8.9
6. Faith or a sense of purpose7.7
7. Friendships and community6.1
8. Paying down student loans or other debt5.0
9. Finding a long-term relationship4.7
10. Unsure4.8
Chart (PNG)Embed
Q12 · Life & work · work-situation
Work Situation
Which of the following best describes your work situation right now?
1. I have a job I consider the start of a career29.7
2. I have a job that pays the bills but is not a career25.0
3. I am in an apprenticeship or training for a skilled trade8.1
4. I am working for myself or building my own business10.6
5. I am in school or training full time and not working6.6
6. I am not working and looking for work13.0
7. I am not working and not looking for work3.7
8. Unsure3.2
Chart (PNG)Embed
Q13 · Life & work · living-arrangement
Living Arrangement
Which of the following best describes where you live right now?
1. On my own or with roommates, paying my own way29.2
2. With a spouse or partner24.8
3. With my parents or other family32.8
4. In campus or university housing4.9
5. In military housing or barracks2.4
6. Something else3.9
7. Unsure2.0
Chart (PNG)Embed
Q14 · Life & work · economic-control
Economic Control
How much control do you feel you have over your own financial future?
1. A great deal of control33.9
2. Some control37.9
3. Not much control18.9
4. No control at all6.3
5. Unsure3.0
Chart (PNG)Embed
Q15 · Connection · turn-to-first
Turn To First
When something goes seriously wrong in your life, who do you turn to first?
1. My mother19.6
2. My father11.1
3. Another family member8.6
4. My spouse or partner14.8
5. A friend my own age10.3
6. A mentor, coach, or teacher3.1
7. A religious leader2.1
8. A therapist or counselor1.9
9. An online community or forum2.9
10. AI, like ChatGPT7.1
11. No one, I handle it on my own14.8
12. Unsure3.6
Chart (PNG)Embed
Q16 · Connection · close-support-count
Close Support Count
How many people in your life could you call at two o'clock in the morning if you really needed help?
1. None10.3
2. One19.1
3. Two or three49.3
4. Four or more15.4
5. Unsure5.9
Chart (PNG)Embed
Q17 · Connection · friendship-formation
Friendship Formation
Thinking about the men you're closest to, how did those friendships mostly get built?
1. By talking openly about personal things18.8
2. Over time, by getting to know each other while doing things together38.5
3. Both about equally28.7
4. I don't really have close male friendships10.2
5. Unsure3.7
Chart (PNG)Embed
Q18 · Connection · authority-figures
Authority Figures
Think about the people who have held authority over you across your whole life so far, at home, in school, in sports, and at work. Have those people been mostly men, mostly women, or an even mix?
1. Almost all men6.4
2. Mostly men20.6
3. An even mix of men and women50.2
4. Mostly women12.3
5. Almost all women3.9
6. Unsure6.6
Chart (PNG)Embed
Q19 · Connection · mentorship-presence
Mentorship Presence
Is there a man in your life, other than a family member you live with, who has taken a real interest in how you turn out?
1. Yes, and I am in regular contact with him27.0
2. Yes, but we are not in regular contact26.2
3. No, and I wish there were16.9
4. No, and I do not feel I need one20.9
5. Unsure8.9
Chart (PNG)Embed
Q20 · Connection · male-spaces · multi-select
Male Spaces
Is there anywhere in your life where you spend time around mostly other men? Select all that apply.
1. School19.1
2. Work45.5
3. Sports or the gym38.1
4. Church or religious group16.2
5. A club or organization15.9
6. Nowhere really21.3
Chart (PNG)Embed
Q21 · Belonging · organization-impact
Organization Impact
Have you ever been part of an organization that made a real difference in your life?
1. Yes46.0
2. No44.7
3. Unsure9.3
Chart (PNG)Embed
Q22 · Belonging · organization-type
Organization Type
What kind of organization made a real difference in your life? If more than one, pick the one that mattered most.
1. A sports team or athletic club17.9
2. A college fraternity3.8
3. A church or religious group24.5
4. Scouting or another youth program5.7
5. The military3.6
6. A job, apprenticeship, or trade program16.5
7. A school club or academic organization10.5
8. A volunteer or service organization11.3
9. Something else6.2
Chart (PNG)Embed
Q23 · Belonging · fraternity-membership
Fraternity Membership
Are you or have you ever been a member of a college or university-affiliated fraternity?
1. Yes, I am currently a member8.1
2. Yes, I was previously a member16.5
3. No, but I would consider becoming a member28.2
4. No, I have never been a member and would not consider it42.1
5. Unsure5.1
Chart (PNG)Embed
Q24 · Belonging · faith-talk
Faith Talk
How often do you and your male friends talk about faith, religion, or spirituality?
1. Often19.3
2. Sometimes36.4
3. Rarely24.9
4. Never12.5
5. I don't have close male friends7.0
Chart (PNG)Embed
Q25 · Belonging · faith-formation-source · multi-select
Faith Formation Source
When you want to learn more about faith or religion, where do you usually go?
1. Church or a religious leader29.1
2. Family26.8
3. Books or reading on my own20.8
4. Social media18.1
5. Podcasts or YouTube17.9
6. Friends16.3
7. Somewhere else5.0
8. I don't look for this15.0
Chart (PNG)Embed
Q26 · Belonging · rules-work-for-me
Rules Work For Me
Do you feel the rules in this country are set up to work for young men like you, or against young men like you?
1. Definitely for someone like me15.2
2. Mostly for someone like me31.4
3. Mostly against someone like me27.6
4. Definitely against someone like me15.3
5. Unsure10.6
Chart (PNG)Embed
Q27 · Belonging · worth-investing-in
Worth Investing In
Do you think most Americans see young men as people worth investing in or as a problem to be managed?
1. People worth investing in46.0
2. A problem to be managed39.8
3. Unsure14.3
Chart (PNG)Embed
Q28 · Belonging · expectations-of-men · multi-select
Expectations Of Men
What do you think most women your age expect from young men today? Select all that apply.
1. Make good money57.9
2. Be able to protect and take care of them43.9
3. Be fun to be around40.5
4. Be ambitious and driven39.1
5. Open up about their feelings33.0
6. Step back so women have more opportunity27.1
7. Split things fifty-fifty21.9
8. Unsure6.2
Chart (PNG)Embed
Q29 · Belonging · stand-out-or-fit-in
Stand Out Or Fit In
Which is more important to you personally, standing out or fitting in?
1. Standing out is much more important17.8
2. Standing out is somewhat more important34.2
3. Fitting in is somewhat more important25.8
4. Fitting in is much more important10.7
5. Unsure11.5
Chart (PNG)Embed
Q30 · Life & work · job-prospects
Job Prospects
In your own experience, does being a man help you, hurt you, or make no difference when you are looking for work?
1. It helps me a lot16.0
2. It helps me a little21.1
3. It hurts me a little13.9
4. It hurts me a lot5.2
5. It makes no difference36.8
6. Unsure7.0
Chart (PNG)Embed
Q31 · Life & work · out-of-place-fields · multi-select
Out Of Place Fields
In which of the following fields, if any, would you personally feel out of place working? Select all that apply.
1. Nursing and healthcare30.6
2. Teaching and education22.5
3. Childcare and early childhood31.4
4. Social work and counseling25.2
5. Arts, design, and music22.2
6. Languages and the humanities23.7
7. Skilled trades and construction18.2
8. Technology and engineering20.6
9. Finance and banking21.2
10. I would not feel out of place in any of these fields12.1
11. Unsure6.2
Chart (PNG)Embed
Q32 · Life & work · trade-job-desire
Trade Job Desire
Which of the following comes closest to how you think about working in a skilled trade?
1. It is something I would want for myself31.1
2. It is something I would take if I had to, but not what I want35.2
3. It is not for me14.8
4. I already work in a skilled trade12.5
5. Unsure6.4
Chart (PNG)Embed
Q33 · Family · family-trajectory
Family Trajectory
Thinking about where your life is headed, which of the following best describes you?
1. I want to get married and I'm confident I will30.4
2. I want to get married but I don't see it happening for me24.5
3. I'm not sure whether I want to get married19.5
4. Getting married isn't something I want11.4
5. I'm already married8.9
6. Unsure5.3
Chart (PNG)Embed
Q34 · Family · children-plans
Children Plans
Which of the following comes closest to how you think about having children?
1. It is something I want for myself34.7
2. It is something I feel obligated to do15.1
3. It is not something I plan on26.8
4. I already have children14.0
5. Unsure9.4
Chart (PNG)Embed
Q35 · Politics · policy-direction-impact · multi-select
Policy Direction Impact
Which of the following would make the biggest difference in your own life? Select up to TWO options.
1. Lowering the cost of groceries and everyday goods38.4
2. Making housing cheaper to rent or buy31.9
3. Tax cuts for people at my income level19.4
4. Better access to mental health care18.1
5. More entry-level jobs that do not require a degree17.9
6. Cutting the cost of a college degree or canceling student debt16.5
7. More support for young fathers and young families15.5
8. Paid apprenticeships and training for skilled trades15.1
9. None of these would make a difference3.0
10. Unsure4.5
Chart (PNG)Embed
Q36 · Politics · vote-driver
Vote Driver
Which one of the following will matter most in deciding how you vote this November?
1. Inflation and the cost of living28.9
2. Housing costs and being able to afford a place to live13.9
3. Immigration9.5
4. Jobs and the entry-level job market8.6
5. Health care costs8.2
6. Crime and public safety6.6
7. The war in Iran6.5
8. Tariffs and trade5.8
9. Student loans and the cost of college4.1
10. Unsure8.0
Chart (PNG)Embed
Q37 · Politics · government-role
Government Role
How much, if anything, should the federal government be doing about the problems facing young men in America today?
1. A great deal more than it is doing now35.1
2. Somewhat more than it is doing now28.2
3. About what it is doing now17.6
4. Less than it is doing now6.5
5. Nothing at all4.1
6. Unsure8.6
Chart (PNG)Embed
Q38 · News · news-source · multi-select
News Source
What are your primary sources for news? Select up to three options.
1. YouTube46.5
2. TikTok29.0
3. Twitter / X26.8
4. Facebook22.2
5. National broadcast television news (i.e. NBC, ABC, CBS)17.9
6. Cable news (i.e. Fox News, MS NOW, CNN)17.7
7. News media websites16.9
8. Streaming app(s)13.6
9. Local broadcast television news11.6
10. Podcasts10.6
11. Newspaper7.9
12. Talk radio5.0
13. Other websites6.1
14. Unsure3.8
Chart (PNG)Embed
Q39 · Politics · retro-ballot-2024
2024 Retro Ballot
Thinking back, who did you vote for in the 2024 election for President?
1. Republican Donald Trump37.2
2. Democrat Kamala Harris32.7
3. Another candidate5.8
4. Did not vote in 202420.3
5. Unsure4.0
Chart (PNG)Embed