also shaped by gender. Some young women stress the importance of female role models and reject the idea that men are naturally better leaders, while some young men express more mixed or uncertain views. Social media usage: Mixed and ambiguous findings: Social media plays a subtle and mixed role in shaping participants’ perceptions: while it serves as an important source of information and arguments, especially for young women engaging with gender-equality content, participants rarely explicitly cite it when explaining gender divides among young people. Support for gender equality but different priorities: Most young people support gender equality. However, it is a higher priority for women. Many young women see it as a key issue, while young men often see it as less central and sometimes feel that it does not directly affect them. Focus on individual responsibility: When discussing solutions to crises or gender inequality, many young people emphasise personal responsibility over structural reform. Among many young women, this reflects a pragmatic liberalism: despite recognising inequalities, they often have limited confidence in systemic change, and therefore, focus on individual strategies as being more realistic. Appeal of traditional family roles in uncertain times: In times of economic and social uncertainty, more traditional family roles can appear attractive, particularly to young men, as they are associated with stability, financial security and protection. However, given current economic conditions, most young people do not see a single-earner household as a realistic option. Mixed views on feminism: Feminism is generally accepted in principle, but the term itself can be controversial. Many participants reject what they see as“extreme” forms of feminism. This allows some young men to support gender equality while distancing themselves from what they see as radical positions, while many young women see feminism as both politically important and personally meaningful. 3.1 Methodological approach Methodologically, the chapter draws on focus group discussions conducted in five countries. Focus groups offer a distinct analytical advantage compared to individual interviews or survey methods because they capture not only individual opinions but also the interactive processes through which attitudes are negotiated, contested and collectively framed. Participants respond to one another, challenge interpretations and co-produce meanings, allowing researchers to observe how political ideas are reshaped through social interaction. This interactional dimension is particularly relevant for studying gender and generational politics, where norms, identities and perceived grievances are often shaped through peer discourse and shared or conflicting cultural references. 52 EqualiZe