Gen Z men experiencing ‘identity crisis,’ American Bible Society survey shows

Young men in their teens to late 20s are experiencing a crisis of identity compared to other age groups, according to recent research from the American Bible Society (ABS).

In the latest release from its annual State of the Bible report, the ABS found only 30% of Gen Z males surveyed in the report felt they had a strong sense of identity, compared to 41% of Gen Z women. 

By contrast, over half of men and women in the Boomer+ generation – born between 1946 and 1964 – reported having a strong sense of identity. 

Data for the survey came from online interviews in January with 2,656 American adults on issues of self-image, beliefs and priorities across generations. 

Among the most relevant findings from the survey is the strong correlation between faith and a strong sense of identity. Whether identifying as Christian or another faith, “those who practice a religion report a strong sense of identity,” the report found. 

Forty percent of those surveyed who cited a non-Christian religion agreed with the statement that “my religious faith is very important to me,” suggesting that “it’s not simply identification with a religion that shapes a person’s identity, but how important that faith is to them,” the report said. 

As for respondents who claimed Christianity as their religion and who were “scripture engaged,” nearly two-thirds (63%) ranked at the highest level of having a strong identity, indicating a solid correlation between faith and identity. 

Over 90% of respondents identifying as practicing Christians agreed “they exist to know, love, and serve God,” while 19% of those identifying as nominal Christians disagreed with the statement. 

“This divide between practicing and non-practicing Christians raises an interesting question about how the Bible’s strong sense of purpose shapes not only our identities, but the way we live our lives,” noted the ABS in the report. 

“Identity levels are strong among people who practice religion – and not just Christianity,” said John Farquhar Plake, Chief Innovation Officer at ABS and editor-in-chief of the State of the Bible series.  

“Something about core beliefs, shared worship, and common culture gives people a better sense of who they are. But we find an even greater effect with Scripture engagement. When people not only read the Bible but build their lives on it, they’re far more likely to have a strong sense of identity.” 

While the ABS report indicates a crisis of identity among Gen Z men, a recent report from the Barna Group suggests a more optimistic trend. 

As reported by Relevantmagazine.com, “Barna’s State of the Church 2025 report shows that commitment to Jesus among Gen Z men has risen sharply in recent years, increasing from 52% in 2019 to 67% in 2025. Weekly church attendance has also favored young men since 2022, reversing a decades-long pattern in which women were more likely to attend church regularly.” 

Barna CEO David Kinnaman called the trend “the clearest indication of spiritual renewal in the U.S. in more than a decade,” adding it’s the first time in recent history Barna research has found a significant level of sustained spiritual interest among younger age groups. 

“This generation has been shaped by uncertainty,” he said. “They’re asking deep questions about purpose, identity, community. And some are finding those answers in faith.”