Traditional Attitudes Toward Gender Roles Are Increasing Among Young People in Some Countries

Abstract

Attitudes toward the roles of women and men in society have become more egalitarian in Germany and most countries around the world since World War II. Recently, however, this process has slowed significantly, even reversing in some places. In most countries, the attitudes of the youngest ten age groups surveyed are hardly any more egalitarian than those of the ten age groups before them. In about a third of countries, the trend is even negative among the youngest 20 age groups. This suggests that attitudes toward gender roles are becoming more traditional again in some places. Thus, the disparity in the global development of attitudes toward gender roles could intensify. Even in Europe, there are signs of a reversal in some countries. In Germany, the trend toward more egalitarian attitudes is still progressing, but this process is experiencing a slowdown and may come to a standstill here as well.