COVID Isolated Young Men—Now They’re Looking for a Strongman

Insights from SocialSphere’s March 2025 Gen Z Tracker

The Backdrop

Five years after COVID-19 upended American life, its most profound impact isn’t just economic or political—it’s personal. For many young men, the pandemic didn’t just interrupt their education or career plans—it disrupted their sense of self.

For today’s young adults—now spanning from college freshmen to those approaching 30—the pandemic arri…