Do Sexist Mothers Change More Diapers? Ambivalent Sexism, Maternal Gatekeeping, and the Division of Childcare

Abstract

The present study examined the role of ambivalent sexist ideologies in the division of childcare responsibilities. We proposed maternal gatekeeping as a mediator through which hostile sexist attitudes toward men and women facilitate gendered division of childcare. A sample of 207 mothers with at least one child aged 6 years or younger completed extensive questionnaires. As hypothesized, the mother's hostile sexist attitudes toward men and women were positively related to maternal gatekeeping tendencies. Gatekeeping, in turn, was related to the mother's greater time investment in childcare and greater share of childcare tasks relative to the father. Finally, hostile sexist attitudes toward men and women had an indirect effect on the mothers' hours of care and relative share of childcare tasks, mediated though maternal gatekeeping. The findings underscore the importance of investigating the mechanisms through which sexist ideologies are translated into daily behaviors that help maintain a gendered social structure. They may be utilized to inform parenting interventions aimed at increasing collaborative family work and fathers' participation.

Ambivalent sexism in adolescence: The relationship between family socialization styles and ambivalent sexism in adolescence

“…Specifically, Malonda et al (2017) suggest that sexism is associated with psychological parental control, so a family environment of emotional and psychological reprobation can promote hostile and benevolent sexist attitudes through diverse family dynamics. In fact, Bermúdez, Sharp, and Taniguchi (2015) suggest that traditional family gender roles can explain hostile sexism and benevolent sexism because gender roles are a social construct that have their origin in the most immediate social unit: the family (Gaunt & Pinho, 2018;Montañés et al, 2012).…”

Biological essentialism, gender ideologies, and the division of housework and childcare: comparing male carer/female breadwinner and traditional families

“…Maternal gatekeeping is generally defined as a set of attitudes and behaviors that discourage a collaborative effort between men and women in family work by limiting fathers' opportunities to fully engage in caring for their home and children (Allen & Hawkins, 1999;Fagan & Barnett, 2003;Gaunt, 2008). Several studies have stressed the influence of this dynamic factor, showing the importance of mothers' views and behaviors in facilitating or inhibiting fathers' involvement in childcare and housework (Allen & Hawkins, 1999;Fagan & Barnett, 2003;Gaunt, 2008;Gaunt & Pinho, 2018). Allen and Hawkins (1999) argued that due to women's lower social and economic status and limited opportunities in the workforce, expertise in housework and childcare can serve as a valuable source of power and self-esteem which facilitates gatekeeping behaviors.…”

“…Different dimensions of maternal gatekeeping were recognized (Allen & Hawkins, 1999), namely standards and responsibilities, maternal identity validation and differentiated family roles. The standards and responsibilities dimension refers to the mother's monopolized behavior over the responsibility for family work, translating into her performing the majority of tasks as she perceives herself to hold higher standards (Allen & Hawkins, 1999;Gaunt, 2008;Gaunt & Pinho, 2018). Maternal identity validation denotes a need for positive appraisal of the maternal role, while differentiated family roles refers to gender ideologies related to what is expected to be done by men and women (Allen & Hawkins, 1999;Gaunt, 2008;Gaunt & Pinho, 2018).…”

Caregiving Dads, Breadwinning Mums: Pathways to the Division of Family Roles Among Role-Reversed and Traditional Parents

“…Parents' individual characteristics and beliefs, such as gender ideologies, essentialist perceptions, ambivalent sexist attitudes and maternal gatekeeping, can have an impact on their division of family roles and childcare tasks (e.g., Fischer & Anderson, 2012;Gaunt, 2006;Gaunt & Pinho, 2018;Macon et al, 2017;Pinho & Gaunt, 2020). The decision of becoming the main caregiver can be shaped by couples' perceptions of their ability as parents, meaning that they see one partner as better suited for the role (Deutsch, 1999;Chesley, 2011).…”