Survey shows more support for gender equality

Social attitudes towards traditional gender roles have changed dramatically in the 40 years since the UK’s leading social attitudes survey started, although it says that this is not always reflected in what happens in the home.

The British Attitudes Survey finds attitudes to women working have undergone a huge change. In 1987, nearly half (48%) agreed that ‘a man’s job is to earn money, a woman’s job is to look after the home and family’. Now, just one in eleven (9%) back that view. In 1989, 46% agreed that ‘a pre-school child is likely to suffer if his/her mother works’. Now just 21% think that.

Also, when asked who in a mixed sex couple should do the washing and ironing, in 1984 three-quarters said mainly the woman, and only 22% that the task should be shared equally. Now 76% say the task should be shared, while just 16% believe it is the woman’s job. Nevertheless, among those who are currently in a mixed sex relationship, 65% report that the washing and ironing is mainly done by the woman, while just 27% say it is shared equally.

The survey covers everything from attitudes to equality issues to questions about the role of the state, for instance, now more than half of people surveyed [55%] support higher taxes. Support for more spending on welfare has varied over the 40-year period, but is now rising. There is also greater awareness of the role of class on people’s life opportunities.

Gillian Prior, Deputy Chief Executive at NatCen said: “The 40th Annual British Attitudes Survey reflects the profound change of the British population since 1983. Many more people now go to university, are employed in white-collar jobs; more women, including those with younger children, go out to work, while a growing population of older people means there are more men and women who are no longer working at all. The population is more ethnically diverse, while a decline in rates of marriage has been accompanied by more diverse types of family formation, including by same-sex couples, and this is reflected in British social and moral attitudes.”

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