Why Young Men Are Turning to Catholicism

Young men who want to learn more about the Catholic faith are becoming increasingly interested, according to a South Carolina clergyman. With a background in modern evangelicalism, these older teens—both married and single—are investigating historic Christianity. They are theologically astute, biblically knowledgeable, and investigating Lutheranism, Anglicanism, and historic churches. As a former evangelical Protestant, the pastor may guide them across the Tiber River to convert to Catholicism.

According to a 2021 survey, there is a broader trend in America where young men are more likely than young women to be religious. Although women have historically been more religious than males, the survey also found that religious identification is declining among older Americans. The conventional wisdom that women are more religious than males is refuted by this.

“As recently as last year, the religion gender gap has persisted among older Americans. Survey data from October 2021 found that among those born in 1950, about a quarter of men identified as atheist, agnostic, or nothing in particular, compared to just 20 percent of women of the same age. That same five-point gap is evident among those born in 1960 and 1970 as well.”

“For millennials and Generation Z, it’s a different story. Among those born in 1980, the gap begins to narrow to about two percentage points. By 1990, the gap disappears, and with those born in 2000 or later, women are clearly more likely to be nones than men.”

“Among 18- to 25-year-olds, 49 percent of women are nones, compared to just 46 percent of men.”

Although there aren't many notable disparities between ethnic groups, young males are becoming more receptive to religion. Social trends like the 2016 presidential election, in which young men rejected Jordan Peterson's intellectual worldview and Kamala Harris' feminine message, are blamed for this trend. A societal crisis in masculinity, encompassing the sexual revolution, feminism, and homosexualism, has weakened masculine confidence and disenfranchised young men, increasing the power of religious communities. This change has also been influenced by criticisms of patriarchal norms and traditional male mentoring sources.

A new masculinity that is both strong and sensitive is reflected in the development of religiosity among young men, which is a component of a broader trend of male positive. These young guys reject the "pink palaces" and "lavender ladies" of the 1970s and 1980s in favor of traditional Catholicism. Additionally, they are eschewing rainbow politics and beliefs that have undermined the Catholic Church in the past three decades. The new generation is confronted with issues like technological advancement, environmental and geopolitical catastrophes, Church corruption, and a society on the verge of collapse, as indicated by the recently reinforced Catholic backbone. They are discovering a Church that has a universal and trustworthy voice of authority, enabling them to construct a safe future on the firm rock of Peter.