Race/Ethnicity and Sex Differences in Attitudes Toward Policies for Gender Equality in the United States

Abstract

ABSTRACT This study examines whether intersecting identities of race/ethnicity and sex are associated with attitudes toward gender equality policies, using online survey data from a representative sample in the United States carried out in August 2020. Participants (N = 2,443) were categorized as White Male, Black Male, Hispanic Male, White Female, Black Female, and Hispanic Female. Findings reveal that women across racial/ethnic groups and minority men, as compared to White men, have more egalitarian views on the importance of gender equality in policy and politics. While there is general support for women in political leadership, the race/ethnicity by sex differences in attitudes related to gender equality in employment are larger. These findings update and extend prior research on sex differences in gender equality attitudes, including highlighting the presence of a sex and race/ethnicity interaction. HIGHLIGHTS Attitudes are drivers of change when it comes to gender equality. In the US, there is majority support for gender equality, albeit with key gaps by race/ethnicity and sex. Women are more likely than men to hold egalitarian views. Men are more attached to traditional family roles for women, regardless of race. All men tend to relatively gain from patriarchal norms around paid and unpaid work.