3. Attitudes to gender inequality

The NCAS asked respondents how much they agree with attitudes that undermine gender equality, attitudes that:

• undermine women’s independence and decision-making in public life;
• undermine women’s independence and decision making in private life;
• promote rigid gender roles, stereotypes and expressions;
• condone male peer relations involving aggression and disrespect towards women; and
• deny gender inequality is a problem.

Most Australians agree that both men and women can play a range of roles regardless of their gender. Australians have greater support for women’s independence and decision-making in public life than private life. Women tend to have a higher level of support for gender equality.

There has been a 13 percentage point decrease in the proportion of people believing men make better political leaders than women (from 27% in 2013 to 14% in 2017).

1 in 7 Australians do not agree that women are as capable as men in politics and in the workplace.

Nearly all Australians (97%) reject the idea that it is okay for men to joke with their male friends about being violent towards women.

Nearly one quarter of Australians see no harm in telling sexist jokes.

2 in 5 Australians believe many women exaggerate how unequally women are treated in Australia.

1 in 3 think it is natural for a man to want to appear in control of his partner in front of his male friends.

GO TO ATTITUDES TO VIOLENCE AGAINST WOMEN