With #MeToo dominating social conversation and showing no signs of slowing down, MTV conducted extensive research with young people, ages 18-25, in December around the efficacy of the movement and how it’s effecting change. The results were optimistic and showed that young men are now questioning their behavior.
According to the results, nearly 1 in 3 young men were concerned that something they had done in the past could be considered sexual harassment. Forty percent of the young men admitted that #MeToo had changed the way they act in potential romantic relationships. And 1 in 4 of the young people surveyed said they’ve noticed guys around them change their behavior since the #MeToo movement began.
Tarana Burke, founder of the "me too" movement, was elated to hear the results: "I'm very excited that MTV did this research, and am pleased to hear that the work we're doing in the 'me too' movement is reaching so many young people. The origins of 'me too' are deeply connected to young people, and the movement will always create spaces and opportunities for them to be engaged and to lead.”
MTV also found that the #MeToo movement is changing how young people perceive gender dynamics in society. The global youth brand reported that 61 percent of the respondents said they have thought about how society enables sexist behavior among men since the initiative began, and 59 percent said the movement has made them think about how difficult the world is for women.
The survey was designed and conducted by MTV Insights Research among a nationally representative sample of approximately 1800 young people (ages 18-25) in December 2017. Resources and more information about the survey can be found at metoo.mtv.com.
