This report explores why gender equality is an important issue for men and boys as well as women and girls. It demonstrates how men and boys can and should contribute to creating a more equal society. It presents clear evidence that: gender equality is good for boys, too; fathers who care promote their own happiness and that of their sons and daughters; and education at all ages and stages is key to bringing about real change.
Primary research was conducted with 12-18 year olds in several different countries, including the UK, Rwanda and India. Though there were variations from country to country, several overarching conclusions have been drawn from the research.
Key Findings:
- Families and schools are handing gender inequality, and violence against girls, down through the generations.
- A father’s role is crucially important. How he treats his wife and daughters will limit or enhance their potential and choices in life. But it will make a difference to his sons, too. A father who does his fair share of domestic work, who values and educates his children equally, who cuddles his sons and daughters and treats his wife as an equal will have a powerful impact on how his son grows to be a man and treats his own family.
- The role of the father as the family decision-maker is crucial to both boys and girls. Without the male head of the household being committed to gender equality it will be extremely difficult for both girls and boys to escape from the traditional male and female moulds.
- Going to pre-school makes it more likely that a child will attend and do well in primary school. It can also promote gender equality at an early age.
- Every man who stands up for gender equality has to face the difficulties of going against the prevailing norms which are constantly reinforced. They may face ridicule and derision not only from other men, but from women as well.
- Increasingly, men themselves are acknowledging that they also are impoverished by rigid gender roles. Sharing power may in fact be empowering for everyone: not a diminishing of masculinity but an enhancement of it.
- Bringing about change is complex. It is not merely a question of legislation; even in societies with laws in place, attitudes remain hard to shift. Behavioural change, which lies at the heart of achieving gender equality at individual, family, community and national level, will be difficult.
