Number of children an individual has is associated with benevolent sexism

Release date: May 27, 2021

https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0252194

Explanation

This study will investigate whether or not having children is associated with benevolent sexism.

Two theoretical explanations, benevolent sexism and benevolent sexism as a mating strategy, as justifications for these roles, suggest a positive, two-way association.

Gender inequalities in child rearing may contribute to inequality, justifying support for benevolent sexism, and having more children may promote traditional gender roles.

The study was analyzed from a large national panel sample of New Zealanders (N= 6,017). Zero-expansion structural equation modeling found that having more children was associated with stronger support for benevolent sexism two years later, with no evidence appearing in the opposite direction.

The paper also showed how to tentatively test the predictions of theoretical explanations for sexism, with the content that we have identified small but new evidence in terms of role justification.