The Gen Z Man Problem: Raised on Porn, Social Media, and Influencers Who Don’t Exactly Love Us (Andrew Tate, Joe Rogan..)

When you think about Gen Z guys, what comes to mind? Maybe you picture a guy in his early 20s, someone who’s constantly on his phone, half-jokingly quoting Andrew Tate, or claiming he listens to Joe Rogan “for the guests.” And then there’s the internet history—one that’s likely been filled with porn since, well, middle school. The digital age has raised this new breed of men, and unfortunately, we’re seeing some worrying consequences. More and more, it feels like some of these guys aren’t just misinformed about women—they seem to resent us.

Let’s dig into it: how did this happen?

Growing Up in the Social Media Era: Where Toxic Masculinity Thrives

First, let’s set the scene: today’s young men have spent their formative years online – and not just passively. They’re bombarded with content, with influencers and social media algorithms guiding what they see, hear, and believe. You’d think it’s just entertainment, right? But we know social media digs a lot deeper than that. It’s where they’re learning what’s "normal" and what’s "cool," and, unfortunately, there’s no shortage of content that teaches them women are disposable or objects for their gratification.

And here’s a tough reality – social media doesn’t just show them diverse perspectives. It often keeps them in echo chambers where they get fed similar, reinforcing views. A young guy who stumbles upon one Andrew Tate video about “masculine power” will soon be served dozens more, which can quickly shift from “self-improvement” to flat-out misogyny. That’s a lot for a young, developing mind to take in.

Social media could have been a powerful platform for positive change, but it’s often ended up as a toxic pit of misogyny. Apps like Instagram, TikTok, and YouTube are brimming with influencers who spew damaging views, wrapped up in humor and pseudo-empowerment. Algorithms prioritize the content that gets the most attention, meaning the more controversial, edgy, or inflammatory something is, the more likely it is to go viral.

In this environment, certain creators, like Andrew Tate, rose to popularity by appealing to young men with a hyper-masculine, anti-woman agenda. His messages aren’t subtle, either—they’re often outright disdainful of women, treating us as either “distractions” or as status symbols.

The Porn Problem: Redefining “Normal”

Gen Z has also grown up in a world where online porn is not only accessible but often their first introduction to “intimacy.” The result? A generation of guys who start seeing women through a very distorted, dehumanized lens. In porn, women are typically portrayed in extreme, unrealistic ways – often as objects to be dominated. This shapes a boy’s mind long before he’s even started dating, giving him ideas that are so far from reality and far from healthy.

Not only does this shape how they see women, but it’s also teaching them that sex is something to take, not share. It doesn’t help that they’re not seeing the relational, emotional side of intimacy at all – just a transactional view that doesn’t leave space for respect, connection, or care.

For many Gen Z men, porn wasn’t just something they stumbled upon by accident at 16; it was part of their lives from a very young age. Research shows that boys as young as 11 are now exposed to explicit content online. What’s alarming is how the type of porn they’re watching can warp their ideas about women, relationships, and, frankly, sex in general. When you’re raised with a constant stream of unrealistic, hypersexualized content, it’s easy to see how respect, patience, and real intimacy fall by the wayside.

Porn often objectifies women to an extreme level, creating unrealistic expectations and ideas about what women should be like. Imagine the impact on a 12-year-old boy who’s still forming his view of women—he’s taught to see us as objects, as rewards to conquer, not as human beings with thoughts and feelings.

The Andrew Tate Phenomenon: Building a “Hate Women” Culture

Enter Andrew Tate. He’s like a one-man show promoting a version of masculinity that’s aggressive, shallow, and outright sexist. His “advice” sounds like empowerment for men on the surface, but a lot of it boils down to treating women as objects or trophies to be conquered. And it’s not just that he’s saying this stuff – it’s how he packages it. Tate’s messages often come with flashy cars, designer suits, and a lifestyle that appeals to young men hungry for an identity.

It’s like a pipeline from mild, motivational “self-help” into hardcore misogyny, all while these young men believe they’re learning how to “take control” of their lives. But what they’re actually learning is that women are hurdles in their path or pawns in their “alpha male” journey.

Andrew Tate’s rise isn’t just shocking—it’s genuinely concerning. His entire brand promotes “alpha male” behavior and openly regards women as lesser. He speaks in absolutes: men should do this; women must do that. It’s all so reductive, yet millions of young men eat it up. Why? Because Tate offers something that’s a little dangerous and a lot validating. His messages tell boys that they don’t have to be vulnerable, respectful, or emotionally intelligent. Instead, they just need to “take control” and put women in their “place.”

It’s a slippery slope, especially for guys who haven’t experienced many genuine relationships with women yet. Tate’s influence is planting seeds of hostility, resentment, and entitlement. His messages don’t encourage any kind of growth, emotional intelligence, or respect—they create a divide where men are told that “winning” means outsmarting, out-maneuvering, and often manipulating women.

Joe Rogan: When Influence Becomes an Echo Chamber

Then there’s Joe Rogan. He’s not as overtly problematic as someone like Tate, but he’s influential, especially among younger men who see him as someone who’s real, “unfiltered,” and who “says it like it is.” The issue? Rogan’s platform has hosted a range of controversial figures with harmful ideas. Although Rogan himself often doesn’t endorse their views, the exposure he gives these ideas normalizes them for his audience, who may not critically examine what they’re hearing. They might start thinking that some of these extreme perspectives are acceptable or even the norm.

To young men, this “no-BS” attitude comes across as refreshing. But they don’t realize that it’s often skewed, sensationalized, and rarely includes a woman’s perspective on these issues. Instead, they’re just hearing a lot of dudes, often in echo chambers, dissecting “what women want” or what’s wrong with modern women – and you can imagine how that translates in the real world.

Joe Rogan is a mixed bag. On the one hand, he’s genuinely curious, a bit of an everyman. But Rogan has also, whether knowingly or not, become a megaphone for guests who often spout sexist or dangerous rhetoric. To young, impressionable guys who tune in, Rogan becomes this relatable, “cool” older guy whose ideas start to feel like truth. The issue is that Rogan rarely pushes back on problematic guests, letting harmful opinions float as “food for thought.”

So when young men watch Rogan’s show, they get the impression that these misogynistic ideas are just “opinions” that everyone is entitled to—and the lines between opinion and fact become dangerously blurred.

The Sum of All Parts: A Culture That’s Teaching Men to Resent Women

We’ve seen the studies about how attitudes toward women are sliding backward among Gen Z men, which feels heartbreaking when you think of all the progress women have fought for over the last few decades. This generation is increasingly being taught that their value lies in power over women, not partnership with women. They’re being told that empathy and vulnerability make them weak. So many of them are losing the ability to connect on a genuine level with women, and instead, they view us as either prizes or problems.

Even in their dating lives, Gen Z men are showing signs of detachment – approaching women with a checklist, sometimes almost like a conquest rather than a connection. It’s as if relationships are just the next “level” in their lives, and women are just NPCs (non-playable characters, if we’re speaking gamer) along the way.

Now, put all these elements together: porn that dehumanizes, social media that rewards aggression, Andrew Tate’s harmful worldviews, and Joe Rogan’s passive endorsement of divisive guests. It’s a cocktail that, sadly, primes many Gen Z men to see women as either threats or prizes. And because these are the ideas being reinforced again and again, they start to feel normal to them.

But here’s the thing: this isn’t “just a phase” for many of them. This resentment and warped perspective are starting to seep into real-life relationships. We’re seeing more men who view relationships as battles for control, where emotional manipulation is a “tactic” and respect is optional.

What Can We Do?

I know this all sounds bleak, and it kind of is – but that doesn’t mean we’re powerless. Here’s what we need to keep in mind:

1. Encourage Better Male Role Models: We need to support and highlight men who champion kindness, empathy, and respect. Men who understand that real strength isn’t about dominance but about connection.
2. Have Honest Conversations: It’s not enough to just be angry (though believe me, I get it!). We need to engage with the younger men around us and have real discussions about respect, intimacy, and partnership. And yes, sometimes this will mean calling out the toxic stuff we see without alienating them.
3. Educate on Media Literacy: We need to start talking more about the influence of algorithms and echo chambers. If more young men realize how manipulated they are by the content they consume, some might start seeing the danger in following certain figures blindly.
4. Redefine Masculinity in Healthier Terms: We have to challenge this “alpha male” concept and create new, positive models of masculinity that include emotional intelligence, kindness, and respect.
5. Demand Better Representation of Women: Let’s not forget that representation matters. Whether in media, classrooms, or everyday life, we need to keep pushing for authentic portrayals of women so young men understand that women are more than just tropes or fantasies – we’re people.

It’s easy to feel hopeless with the influences these guys have had, but change is always possible. And it starts with more people, women and men alike, being brave enough to challenge the harmful narratives and start conversations that build bridges, not barriers. The younger generation deserves better than this. So let’s do our part to make sure they get it.

It’s not all doom and gloom; there are plenty of Gen Z men who see the harm in these influences and work hard to reject them. But it’s up to us to keep raising awareness, not just with them but with each other. The more we talk about this openly and honestly, the less normalized these influences become.

We have to push back on platforms that give misogynists a voice, educate boys about respect and empathy from a young age, and remind each other that we deserve better. Gen Z men grew up in a digital minefield of toxic ideas, but awareness is the first step in changing this conversation and ensuring healthier relationships for everyone.

After all, it’s about respect—something all of us, men and women, deserve.

Thankful for your presence, Neja