Young people more likely to hold hostile attitudes toward women, study finds
Young people are significantly more likely than older generations to hold hostile attitudes toward women, and these attitudes are being reflected in classroom behavior, according to new research from the University of Melbourne.
A recent study conducted by the University of Melbourne reveals that young people, particularly those in their teenage years, are more likely to hold hostile attitudes towards women compared to older generations. The findings, which are the first of their kind in Australia, were derived from a survey of 1,122 young individuals aged 13-17 and 2,307 adults.
The study also included interviews with over 500 Australian schoolteachers regarding their experiences with misogyny and extremism in classrooms. The research highlights that these hostile attitudes are not only prevalent among teenagers but also strongly predict support for violent extremism. The study found that teenage girls shared similar views to adult men, with Gen Z women being twice as likely to agree that marriage entitles a husband to sex with his wife, even if she does not want to.
This attitude was four times more common in Gen X women compared to their Millennial counterparts. The study also found a strong correlation between these misogynistic views and the type of online content young people consume, including manosphere content, pornography, and online dating. Teachers reported instances of students quoting influencers like Andrew Tate and using language from the manosphere to justify refusing instructions from female staff while complying with similar instructions from male colleagues.
Some of these behaviors were observed as early as age 6. Dr. Sara Meger, the study's author, emphasized that these issues are structural rather than individual and called for policy reform to address the problem. Chanel Contos, CEO of Teach Us Consent, noted that the study's findings align with the harmful content prevalent in young people's social media feeds and algorithms.
Patty Kinnersly, CEO of Our Watch, stressed the need for earlier prevention measures to combat misogynistic attitudes, which can lead to real-world violence and harm. The study's authors concluded that these hostile attitudes are not inevitable and can be prevented, particularly during the adolescent years. This issue is not just a social concern but also a national security issue, as these attitudes are strongly linked to support for violent extremism.
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