Young Men Look to Obama Over Religious Leaders, Study Finds—But a Deeper Struggle is Emerging
March 24, 2026
A new report is shedding light on a surprising cultural shift: many young men in America are looking more to public figures like former President Barack Obama for inspiration than to religious leaders—even as they wrestle with deeper questions about identity, purpose, and manhood.
The study, conducted by the Institute for Family Studies, surveyed 2,000 men ages 18 to 29 and found that, while parents remain the most influential role models, figures like Obama and NBA star LeBron James rank surprisingly high. Both were selected by 54% of respondents as people they look up to “a good amount” or “a great deal.”
