A global survey conducted by Ipsos across 29 countries and more than 23,000 respondents reveals a troubling paradox: while gender equality remains widely supported in principle, deeply traditional views about gender roles persist — particularly among young men.
Some of the findings are striking and challenge the assumption that younger generations are automatically more progressive on gender issues.
A third of young men believe wives should obey their husbands
One of the most shocking results of the study is that around one in three Gen Z men believe a wife should always obey her husband.
Another striking statistic:
- 33% of Gen Z men believe the husband should have the final say in important decisions within a couple.
These figures reveal that hierarchical views of relationships — where male authority remains central — are still present among a significant share of young men.
Researchers note that Gen Z men are the most likely of all generations to support traditional gender norms, not only for women but also for men themselves.
Many believe gender equality has already gone “far enough”
Despite persistent inequalities across many sectors, a large share of the global population believes gender equality has already progressed sufficiently.
According to the survey:
- 52% of people worldwide believe that efforts to achieve gender equality have already gone far enough in their country.
This perception is significantly stronger among men than women.
The study also found:
- 46% believe men are expected to do too much to support gender equality.
- 44% believe the promotion of women’s rights has gone so far that it now discriminates against men.
These attitudes reflect what many sociologists describe as a growing anti-feminist backlash.
A widening divide between young women and young men
The data also reveals a striking generational and gender divide.
Among Gen Z respondents:
- 54% of young women identify as feminists
- compared with just 36% of young men.
This gap suggests that young women and young men are increasingly developing very different perspectives on gender equality.
Traditional gender roles remain deeply embedded
Even when respondents support equality in principle, traditional expectations around gender roles remain widespread.
For example:
- 17% believe childcare should mainly be a woman’s responsibility
- 24% believe earning money should primarily be a man’s responsibility.
These perceptions highlight how traditional gender norms continue to shape views of family and work.
Equality remains a widely shared aspiration
Despite these tensions, gender equality remains an important value for a majority of people worldwide.
According to the survey:
- 68% say achieving gender equality is personally important to them.
Meanwhile:
- 60% believe societies would function better if more women held positions of power in government and business.
These findings illustrate a central paradox: strong theoretical support for equality often coexists with resistance to the social changes it implies.
A warning sign for democracies
Ultimately, the Ipsos study highlights an important shift.
While younger generations were long assumed to be more progressive, a segment of young men appears to be moving toward more traditional or conservative views on gender roles.
At a time when misogynistic discourse is spreading across some online spaces and political movements, these findings raise an important question:
the struggle for gender equality is now being fought not only in laws and institutions, but also in cultural narratives, digital spaces, and generational identities.
And the persistence of beliefs such as the idea that a wife should obey her husband shows that patriarchal norms are far from disappearing.