Are gender stereotypes changing over time? A cross-temporal analysis of perceptions about gender stereotypes in Spain (¿Están cambiando los estereotipos de género con el tiempo? Un análisis transtemporal de las percepciones sobre los estereotipos de género en España)

Abstract

ABSTRACT The evolution of societal gender roles over time changes perceptions about the characteristics of men and women and how they behave. Previous studies on the dynamics of gender stereotypes have investigated people’s perceptions about men and women at specific time points (i.e., thinking in the past, present and future). However, studies comparing results of present perceptions of men and women measured at a lapse of time could clarify whether there have been real changes in gender stereotypes or just a desired perception for change. In the current research, we investigate whether perceptions about gender stereotypes evolve over time by comparing 453 Spanish participants’ perceptions of men and women over a 10-year period based on data collected at two time points: 2006 (n = 199) and 2016 (n = 254). In line with the conclusions of previous research, our results indicate that perceptions of gender stereotypes evolved over time from 2006 to 2016. Interestingly, over 10 years, men and women are perceived to be more similar on feminine characteristics but diverge on masculine characteristics. We discuss the dynamic of stereotypes in light of social constraints that may influence gender characteristics adscription.