One in five men don’t believe gender inequality is a reality, study finds

8.9 million Brits also viewed themselves as lacking knowledge about toxic masculinity

(Getty Images/iStockphoto)

One in five men in the UK don’t believe that gender inequality is still a reality in society today, according to new research into toxic masculinity and gender issues.

The research, which was conducted by YouGov on the behalf of the University of Glasgow and FutureLearn, also found that there was a generational gap between views on gender inequality.

One in five (22 per cent) of under 35s believe gender inequality doesn’t exist compared to nearly one in three (30 per cent) over over 35 year olds.

And 23 per cent of under 35s don’t believe toxic masculinity has never existed, while 27 per cent of over 35s agree it doesn’t exist. 

Meanwhile, 37 per cent of men and 52 per cent of women reported that they did believe toxic masculinity was a big issue in modern society.

Respondents to the survey – which was conducted in October of more than 2,000 people – were also asked about the causes of toxic masculinity, and 38 per cent answered that a stereotypical image of what it means to be “masculine” is responsible.

And one in ten said it was an environment that allows for misogyny that enables it to continue.

It was also found that 8.9 million Brits viewed themselves as lacking knowledge about the issue itself.

The research was commissioned as FutureLearn and the university launch a free online course on gender history, equality and stereotypes, titled “A Global History Of Sex and Gender”.

It will look at misogyny – which is set to be considered a hate crime by law in the UK – the #MeToo movement, abortion laws, sex, intimacy, the gender pay gap, queer and trans history and more.

“Gender and sexual inequality is a central issue in today’s global culture wars – from the Weinstein scandal and #MeToo, to reproductive justice and trans rights,” Dr Tanya Cheadle, a lecturer in gender history at University of Glasgow.

Demonstrators participate in the 2018 #MeToo March on November 10, 2018 in Hollywood, California (Getty Images)

Gay and trans rights will also be studied as part of the course, after 7.8 million respondents also admitted to not knowing enough about LGBTQ+ rights.

“This course provides the vital historical perspective necessary to enact meaning social change,” adds Dr Tanya Cheadle. 

“Reaching a wide audience through this accessible online platform allows us a real opportunity to inform and progress the conversation, sharing with a broad, international audience the very latest research on the rich and sometimes surprising history of past attitudes and activism on sex and gender.”

The course has been available remotely since 26 October.