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.”

By comparison, fewer young men pointed to spiritual guidance. Just 46% said they looked up to a leader of their religious congregation, placing faith leaders behind cultural and political icons in shaping their worldview.

Yet the findings reveal something more complex than a simple decline in religious influence. Far from rejecting traditional values, many young men still hold a strong, even biblical, understanding of manhood. According to the report, 89% agreed that “being a man requires a willingness to sacrifice for others,” while 85% said manhood involves “strength, responsibility, and leadership.”

Despite these convictions, many feel increasingly disconnected from achieving those ideals.

“The sense of being a failure is one measure of a more general—and frankly heartbreaking—demoralization,” researchers wrote. Nearly half of men ages 18 to 23 said they sometimes feel like failures, with only about a third rejecting that label entirely.

This internal struggle appears tied to broader cultural and economic challenges. Many respondents described feeling stuck—wanting to provide, lead, and build meaningful lives but unsure how to get there. A shifting job market, rising costs, and uncertainty around education have left many questioning traditional pathways to success.

“Young men are not where they want to be, often feel trapped, and are unsure of what to do,” the report states. “At least in the near term, they are not optimistic that things will get much better.”

That uncertainty is also reshaping how young men define adulthood. While financial independence remains the top marker—named by 53% of respondents—fewer see college or full-time work as essential milestones. At the same time, there has been a noticeable increase in the value placed on family life. More young men today say that marriage and having children are more important markers of adulthood than in previous generations.

Still, many feel those goals are out of reach. Nearly 60% reported difficulty finding romantic partners, and financial concerns were frequently cited as a major barrier to pursuing marriage or starting a family.

In a culture where masculinity is often criticized or labeled “toxic,” the study suggests that young men are not rejecting responsibility—but rather struggling to live it out.

“They care about their status, want to contribute, and are distressed by the gap between their current circumstances and what they really desire for their life,” researchers noted.

For Christians, the findings raise important questions about discipleship, mentorship, and the Church’s role in shaping the next generation of men. While cultural figures may capture attention, the deeper need appears to be for guidance rooted in truth, purpose, and identity in Christ.

The report ultimately paints a picture not of apathy, but of longing—a generation of young men searching for direction, meaning, and a clear vision of what it means to live with strength, sacrifice, and faith in an increasingly uncertain world.