Nearly 65% Feel Some Roles Are Only for Men or Women

People have been housebound since Covid, which increased home duty, childcare, and housekeeping. It’s common for the burden of extra housework to fall on women at home or in society. They often provide complete childcare when working from home or at work. This can negatively affect women’s employment prospects, conflict of interests within households, mental and physical health, etc. However, times are changing more positively, and awareness about this is spreading. In many families, many men assist in housework and childcare. This contributes mainly towards modifying gender stereotypes and, in the long run, leads to more gender equality in some homes.

Thus, Real Research, an online survey app, launched a survey on balancing gender roles at home. The survey aims to find public opinions on the division of labor and the impact of gender roles at home.

Highlights:

• 43.97% of respondents both work and care for their family
• 26.97% think both men and women have equal roles at home
• 10.79% said that as a man, they work, and their wives do childcare and housework

Gender Roles at Home and in Society

The survey on balancing gender roles at home begins by asking how respondents manage work, households, childcare, etc. The survey responses revealed that 43.97% work and care for their family, while 11.97% help around the house and watch kids when possible.

11.34% revealed they live alone and manage work/personal life well, whereas 10.94% of those living with their partners share a balanced work and life. Moreover, 10.79% responded that as a man, they work, while their wives manage the house and kids.

Certain social norms have pre-defined roles for men and women. The survey responses revealed that 47.79% believe men take on a more significant role in the household, and 26.97% think both men and women have equal roles at home. Meanwhile, 25.25% feel that women have a more significant role in the household.

Accordingly, the survey on balancing gender roles at home asked respondents if there should be defined gender roles in the house. All 49.65% said ‘yes absolutely’, whereas 25.67% contradicted by saying, ‘no, not at all’. A further 24.59% were unsure.

Factors Contributing To Unequal Gender Roles

The balancing gender roles at home survey asked respondents to choose the main factor contributing to unequal gender roles. Respondents chose the following: the general practice of traditional values (40.54%), gender socialization (22.42%), and lack of awareness of equal gender rights(12.74%).

Other factors chosen were lack of exposure to a progressive environment/society (11.74%) and media portrayal of gender roles (11.67%).

Read Also: Single Parents Should Have Access to Childcare Facilities

Accordingly when the survey asked if the respondents believed there was a job that was only meant for either men or women, 64.6% replied ‘yes, definitely,’ whereas 35.4% differed by saying ‘no, not at all’.

The Public’s Verdict on the Impact of Gender Roles at Home

The balancing gender roles at home survey asked about the impact of gender roles at home. All 38.27% of responses suggest that an equal division of duties will complete work quickly. Also, 13.86% say this helps build and strengthen the relationship between partners, while 9.92% suggest it enables efficient problem-solving. Moreover, 8.36% think this can help gain support when a partner needs it, and 7.5% believe it can help build happier relations.

A research paper stated that due to instilled traditional values, women are still believed to be more suited for childcare and housework than men. The survey continues to ask respondents how much they agree with the statement. 39.46% highly agree, and 20.5% agree, while 19.45% remain neutral. Contrastingly, 10.87% disagree, and 9.71% highly disagree with the statement that women should manage childcare and housework compared to men.

Also Read: As Society Evolves, Gender Inequality Remains

Lastly, the survey on balancing gender roles at home asks respondents if children should learn the importance of equal gender roles at home and in society. A whopping 43.57% of respondents said ‘yes, definitely’, and 27.72% also said ‘yes’. Meanwhile, 15% replied ‘no’, and 13.67% said ‘no, absolutely unnecessary.’