Sex-role Attitudes Among Northern Australians

Abstract

SynopsisThis paper presents the results of a recent study of attitude towards sex-role differentiation among a sample of 183 (90 males and 93 females), all Anglo-Australians, resident in Darwin, in the Northern Territory. The questionnaire consisted of a number of items (drawn from three American studies) which covered aspects such as sharing decision-making and household chores, the effect on children and the quality of relationships if the mother was employed outside the home and the importance of a career for women. The results suggest that overall men and women seem to be more egalitarian in the 1990s, although women seem to be much more egalitarian than men. There appears to be some congruence between men and women about issues which are likely to raise concern. It is possible that since overall attitude seems to be more egalitarian in the 90s, other factors such as age, level of education, marital status, number of children and religious affiliation do not seem to have any significant effect on atti...