More than a third of Spaniards believe that women are better qualified to take care of children than men. An investigation published this Thursday by the Social Observatory of the “la Caixa” Foundation reveals that gender stereotypes still persist despite social advances, and that there is still a large percentage of the population that thinks that issues such as care or empathy are feminine traits. Prejudice is greater among men, although not much more: 39% of them support that idea, compared to 34% of women who support that statement.
Although little by little, social prejudices have been receding over the years and the idea that there are eminently feminine traits (empathy, care) and others exclusively masculine (leadership, security) is becoming less and less pervasive. However, those preconceived ideas that carry years and years of tradition behind them refuse to disappear, especially in the case of male stereotypes. Although it has been possible for more and more girls and women to perceive themselves with traits that have historically been attributed to them, the same does not happen in the opposite sense: There are still very few men who describe themselves as having more feminized traits.
This is revealed by the study, named Are gender stereotypes still alive in the 21st century?which analyzes what idea the Spanish population has about the characteristics, behaviors and roles that men and women present in society, and observes the evolution of these stereotypes over the years, according to the main results of each generation . The data—obtained after surveying more than 5,000 people between 16 and 75 years old— show that there are still certain clichés that refuse to disappear, especially among boomers and millennials (people over 40 years old).
An example: of all the respondents, 30% declare that listening to others and taking great care of their physical image is something typical of women. And, on the other hand, one in four considers that the predisposition to take risks is a typically masculine trait. The same thing happens with the issue of care, beyond children, which continues to become feminized: 37% of men and 33% of women believe that they are the ones who are best prepared to take care of the elderly and sick people.
The panorama is very different in the case of roles traditionally associated with men. This is where an evolution of society with respect to stereotypes is shown: a very small percentage still believes that men are more qualified to be spokespersons from a political party (6% of men and 7% of women); to lead work teams (9% and 5%, respectively); or to launch a commercial idea (6 and 4%).
Feminine traits have less social value
“Stereotypes continue to be reproduced, especially in what we understand as typical of femininity. While we are beginning to understand that women are capable of doing everything that men have traditionally done or taking on their tasks, It is not yet fully understood that men are equally capable to do what women do,” she explains to 20 minutes Marta Fraile, scientific researcher at the Institute of Policies and Public Goods (CSIC) and main researcher of the study.
What is needed, according to Fraile, is to continue promoting measures that fight against these stigmas from the institutions, but above all with actions that push men to get involved in traditionally feminine tasks, such as caregiving. “Until now we have focused on other issues, such as teaching girls in schools and with textbooks that are capable of whatever they propose. Well, it would be a bit the opposite. There are many qualities within what is considered typically feminine, such as empathy, or caring for others, that men should also have.“concludes the researcher, who emphasizes that the basic problem is that feminine traits continue to have a “lower social value”, despite the fact that they contribute a lot to society.
Few generational differences
Thus, when asked about the traits that define them as a person, men between 55 and 75 years old (boomers)identify to a greater extent than women with attributes such as leadership, competition and risk. Something similar happens with men of generation millennials They define themselves more than women their age with traits such as competition, risk and conflict. As for the youngest, between 16 and 25 years old (generation Z), identify with competition and self-confidence, to a greater degree than girls of the same age.
The women They present a less stereotypical vision of society, but they still show certain prejudices regarding certain traditionally masculine and feminine traits.. Those from 55 to 75 years old, For example, they stand out compared to men their age for describing themselves above all with traits such as affection, concern for the well-being of others and the importance of physical appearance.
Those of the generationThey also identify more with that concern for how their environment is and for affection; while the millennials They perceive themselves with traits such as empathy. The young women of 16 to 25 years old, For their part, they stand out compared to men of the same age for believing that they are more empathetic and who care more about the well-being of others. They are also the only ones who identify with the trait of independence more than men their age.
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