Post-pandemic hopes, fears and dreams
After two years living through a global pandemic, which forced so many plans to pause, it’s easy to see why this young generation is trying to make sense of their place in the world.
From feelings around their identity, to their sense of belonging in the UK and fears of loneliness, young men are grappling with the weight of traditional expectations and in turn how modern masculinity is presented.
Our first Young Blood study in 2016 reported on an optimistic group that viewed the world as their oyster. In 2018, global events meant their faith in the world had taken a dive. Fast track to 2022 and the pandemic years have taken their toll, with an alarming majority of young men experiencing mental health issues within the last year.
This latest iteration of Young Blood turns its attention to the present state of modern masculinity in the UK. It puts what it means to be a man, the Gen Z generation, gender roles,