DADS’ ARMY MARCH13 TO COMBAT SEXISM

Fathers of girls ‘learn women get a raw deal’

MEN with daughters are less likely to be sexist.

Fathers of girls tend not to believe women should stay at home to look after the children.

Researchers said that as their daughter grew up, dads became more aware of the disadvantages faced by women and girls in society.

Dr Joan Costa-Font, of the London School of Economics, said: “The study shows that attitudes, rather than being fixed over time, can change later in life.”

She added: “This is a very promising finding that suggests that exposure to others’ circumstances can help shape behaviour.”

The study looked at the impact of being a mother and father to girls.

Shift

Parents were assessed on whether they supported the idea of the “traditional male breadwinner” and the wife as a homemaker.

Having daughters has more of an impact on blokes than women.

The study authors said: “Through parenting, fathers of daughters may develop a better understanding of girls’ disadvantages in society, resulting in a significant shift in attitudes towards gender norms.”

Researchers said that mothers had already faced disadvantage and were unlikely to change their attitudes.

Julia Philipp of the LSE added: “Traditional attitudes towards gender roles can be a barrier to achieving gender equality inside and outside the workplace, so our evidence that such attitudes can change over time is very encouraging.”