Socioeconomic Indicators of Benevolent Sexism Endorsement: A Global and Statewide Analysis

Abstract

Benevolent sexism, a subjectively positive prejudice, undermines gender equality by subjugating women through three components—protective patriarchy, complementary gender differentiation, and heterosexual intimacy. Due to its seemingly positive veneer, benevolent sexism might mistakenly seem less harmful to women than its more hostile counterpart. By examining the socioeconomic status of 58 countries and their populace’s benevolent sexism endorsement levels, this paper aims to debunk the notion of benevolent sexism’s innocuousness. Regression analysis revealed that women’s benevolent sexism endorsement indicates rigid cultural norms, gender inequality, and income inequality; however, these results were not replicated when each of the United States was examined individually, perhaps because of range restriction. Potential mechanisms for this relationship are discussed.