A new IZA discussion paper by Teodora Boneva, Ana Brás-Monteiro, Marta Golin, and Christopher Rauh challenges assumptions about men’s attitudes toward equitable division of household labor, revealing a significant gap between actual preferences and societal perceptions. Using survey data from 24,000 respondents in six countries (Germany, Italy, Poland, Spain, Sweden, and the U.S.), the researchers found that while most men support equity in household responsibilities, both men and women tend to underestimate how common these views are.
Misperceptions and their impact
The study highlights that, on average, respondents underestimated the share of men who prefer equitable household arrangements by 26 percentage points. These misperceptions were most pronounced in Spain, where 84% of men support household equity, but only 48% of respondents believed this to be the case. Women were more likely than men to misjudge these attitudes, compounding the perception gap.
Informational intervention changes attitudes
The researchers conducted a randomized information experiment to test whether correcting these misperceptions could influence attitudes and behaviors. Participants who were informed about the actual prevalence of equitable preferences among men updated their beliefs, expressed a stronger preference for equity themselves, and demonstrated an increased willingness to pay for achieving equitable arrangements. Men who initially underestimated others’ preferences showed the greatest response to the intervention.
Barriers to equity remain
Despite these encouraging results, structural and social obstacles may limit progress toward equitable household dynamics. These include workplace inflexibility, cultural stigmas around men reducing work hours, and conflicting preferences between partners. The findings suggest that addressing these barriers will be crucial for fostering long-term gender equality.
Broader implications for gender norms
This research underscores the power of correcting societal misperceptions to promote progressive norms and behaviors. As gender roles evolve, future efforts could focus on dismantling workplace and societal constraints that perpetuate inequity and investigating strategies to align household dynamics with modern values.