Gen Z Wants Dads to Show More Vulnerability, Study Finds

Adolescents crave 'joyful fatherhood' and dads who are emotionally present and open about their feelings.

Mar. 15, 2026 at 3:00pm

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A new study from the Center for Scholars & Storytellers at UCLA surveyed 1,500 US adolescents (ages 10-24) and found that the top quality they want to see in fathers, both on screen and in real life, is showing love and vulnerability. The study found that young people crave dads who are emotionally present, open about their feelings, and willing to seek support when needed.

Why it matters

The desire for more emotionally available and vulnerable fathers reflects a broader shift in societal expectations around masculinity and parenting. Experts say that when children see fathers modeling these qualities, it reinforces the idea that these are normal and admirable traits in men, which can have a positive impact on child development.

The details

The study found that 57.7% of adolescents surveyed said the number one need was to see fathers show love to their kids. They also want to see dads enjoying parenting and taking care of others, as well as demonstrating behaviors like asking for help and seeking mental health care. Researchers say this 'joyful fatherhood' contrasts with more traditional 'masculine' stereotypes of fathers as stoic providers.

  • The Center for Scholars & Storytellers at UCLA released the new study in 2026.

The players

Yalda T. Uhls, PhD

A developmental psychologist, assistant adjunct professor of psychology, and founder and CEO of the Center for Scholars & Storytellers (CSS) at UCLA.

Heather Wittenberg, PsyD

A parenting psychologist in Maui, Hawaii and founder of BabyShrink.com.

Pamela B. Rutledge, PhD, MBA

A psychologist in Newport Beach, CA and professor emerita in media psychology at Fielding Graduate University.

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What they’re saying

“Young people expressed a desire to see fathers who actually talk about their feelings, rather than just offering stoic help with a task or hobby.”

— Yalda T. Uhls, Developmental psychologist and founder of the Center for Scholars & Storytellers

“When a child only sees their father model stoicism, they are, in effect, learning that feelings, especially uncomfortable ones, are something to hide from others. When a father shows appropriate vulnerability, it shows that even difficult emotions can be handled.”

— Pamela B. Rutledge, Psychologist and professor emerita

What’s next

The Center for Scholars and Storytellers plans to use the research findings to help content creators in the entertainment industry reimagine how boys and men are depicted on TV and in movies.

The takeaway

This study highlights a generational shift in what young people value in fathers, moving away from traditional 'masculine' stereotypes towards a desire for more emotionally present and vulnerable dads. Experts say this can have a positive impact on child development by normalizing the expression of emotions and the seeking of support.