Attitudes toward the role of women as part of a larger belief system

Abstract

the strong Catholic religious ethos and other factors. However, since the early 1970's Ireland has experienced a period of rapid social change resulting in a number of significant legislative and administrative reforms concerning women, as well as a marked increase in married women's laborforce participation. However, this participation is still quite low by U.S. and European standards. This paper focusses on the role of attitudes in perpetuating inequality and rigid sex-role behavior. Attitudinal data from a representative nationwide sample are presented concerning the role and status of women, with particular reference to the employment status of married women. In addition to exploring the demographic determinants of these attitudes, a detailed examination is made of their relationship to other social attitudes and beliefs, of which a key element was found to be religiosity. A case is made that these constitute a belief system with many components reminiscent of the Authoritarian Personality. The implications of these attitudes for married women's future labor force participation and well-being are discussed.