four years ago I warned young heterosexual men that a vote for former President Donald Trump could hurt their chances with women in the dating market.. As a wife and mother with a positive outlook on marriage and family life, I worried that Trump-supporting men would ruin their chances for love and romance in the years to come. Unfortunately, four years later, the gender gap has widened and women’s reluctance to be with men who want to vote for Trump has increased, especially when it comes to Generation Z.

This can be difficult for Gen Z men to understand. That’s because, to their credit, When it comes to dating, they are more willing to ignore political differences than women. Although divergent viewpoints can make a relationship more interesting, Gen Z women apparently don’t see eye to eye when it comes to Trump. Most college-educated Gen Z women not only don’t want to date supportive men, but many don’t want to be friends with them either.

When it comes to dating, the playing field is not level. While Gen Z men and women have had a harder time dating than previous generations, Gen Z men have had it worse. They are not as educated as their female counterparts, they have more difficulty in the job market and they are less likely to live far from home. Their relationships are often virtual, and without real relationship experience, they are often ill-equipped for the dating market.

To make matters worse, Gen Z women reject heterosexual Gen Z men for many other reasons as well. They are more likely than men to identify as LGBTQ+with more Gen Z women than men identify as asexual and/or aromatic. Others are focused on self-care and their friends rather than datingor they choose to date millennial men.

It’s no surprise that so many Gen Z men feel alone and upset, nor that in Trump they find a voice to express their grievances. With her new boyfriend Elon MuskTrump promises to solve all their problems. Plus, in the seductive world of MAGA, guys can rant for hours without filter with their peers, insulting those who offend them and blaming others if they lose. Better yet, they idolize a man who feels entitled to all the sex he wants without worrying about all that #MeToo stuff and the constant need to apologize.

This has a certain appeal. After all, being an adult is hard work. Unfortunately, emulating the irresponsible behavior of the Trumps and Musks of the world won’t pay off for the average Gen Z man who isn’t ultra-rich, and it certainly won’t earn him the respect of the average Gen Z woman. the generation Z he desires. .

This is why, when a woman finds out that a man supports Trump, she is right to be concerned. If a man, no matter how nice he is, chooses to vote for a man who demeans others, objects to women, and has little respect for issues that are important to him, such as reproductive health care and the environmentshe wonders if he will have what it takes to be the partner she wants, whether temporary or permanent.

Women want to be with men who respect them. They value men who think about the well-being of others, not just themselves. They want men who are mature enough to stay the course and not make false promises.

We want these same qualities in a leader. Fortunately, we have had leaders in the past who set a good example in this regard, showing us the positive aspects of masculinity, and they came from both parties. Presidents George W. Bush And Barack Obama They differed in their political positions and the direction they took our country, for better or worse, but they provided strong examples of good fathers and faithful husbands who respected the women in their lives.

Trump has set a terrible example for young men and Republicans in general. Gen Z men deserve better, just like women everywhere.

Rest assured, Vice President Kamala Harris is listening. She is fighting to create more jobs for those without college degrees. She supports a bipartisan immigration bill. She committed to make housing more affordable. These are questions that Gen Z men who support Trump are most concerned about.

This election matters, and for Gen Z men, it matters on many levels and in the most personal way possible. Finding love and partnership is worth it, even more so for men. It’s because married men are much more likely to be happier, healthier and wealthier than their single counterparts. That’s one of the reasons my husband and I were thrilled to see our son get married last month.

Gen Z men need to thrive. Please know that I have your best interests at heart. This is your chance to make a decision that you can feel good about for years to come. You are needed more than ever, and for those of you who want to improve your chances in love, this is your golden opportunity. Take advantage and vote for Harris.

Ellen Currey-Wilson is an author, writer and educator. She lives in Portland, Oregon.

The opinions expressed in this article are those of the author.