Help to perpetuate traditional gender roles: Benevolent sexism increases engagement in dependency-oriented cross-gender helping.

Abstract

Based on theorizing that helping relations may serve as a subtle mechanism to reinforce intergroup inequality, the present research (N = 1,315) examined the relation between benevolent sexism (i.e., a chivalrous yet subtly oppressive view of women) and helping. In cross-gender interactions, the endorsement of (Studies 1, 3, and 4) or exposure to (Study 2) benevolent sexism predicted (a) men's preference to provide women with dependency-oriented help (i.e., direct assistance) rather than tools for autonomous coping, and (b) women's preference to seek dependency-oriented help rather than tools for autonomous coping. Benevolent sexism did not predict men's and women's engagement in dependency-oriented helping relations in same-gender interactions. Studies 1 and 2 examined behavioral intentions in response to a series of hypothetical scenarios; Studies 3 and 4 examined actual behavior in tests of mathematical and logical ability, and pointed to assumed partner's expectations as a potential mediator. The converging evidence supports the hypothesis that benevolent sexism encourages engagement in cross-gender helping relations that perpetuate traditional gender roles.

Relationship (in)security is central to the sources and outcomes of sexist attitudes

“…Although men who endorse benevolent sexism attempt to enact a romanticized, high‐status role to care for and protect their partners, this can produce various costs for female partners because men's role‐congruent behaviors will often fail to be responsive to their partner's particular needs. Men who endorse benevolent sexism tend to over help when providing support to their partners, such as giving directions and providing solutions (Hammond & Overall, ; Shnabel, Bar‐Anan, Kende, Bareket, & Lazar, ). This type of support reinforces men's higher status position as the assertive provider, and ultimately undermines women's competence and efficacy (Hammond & Overall, ; Shnabel et al, ).…”

“…Men who endorse benevolent sexism tend to over help when providing support to their partners, such as giving directions and providing solutions (Hammond & Overall, 2015; Shnabel, Bar-Anan, Kende, Bareket, & Lazar, 2016). This type of support reinforces men's higher status position as the assertive provider, and ultimately undermines women's competence and efficacy (Hammond & Overall, 2015;Shnabel et al, 2016). Furthermore, men who endorse benevolent sexism are kind and cherishing only to the extent that their female partners live up to traditional roles and ideals, such as faithfully supporting men's career (Chen et al, 2009).…”

Sexism and Aggression in Adolescence—How Do They Relate to Perceived Academic Achievement?

“…This supports the view that sexism legitimates specific attributes for men and women [2,25,68,69], along with factors rooted in patriarchal societies [9]. It is also important to note the negative relationship between hostile sexism and perceived academic achievement in boys and girls.…”

Intergroup helping relations

“…These patterns reinforce existing inequality. Similar dynamics characterize cross-gender helping relations: men's benevolent sexism, a chivalrous yet oppressive view of women, predicted the giving of dependencyoriented help to a woman in need [40 ].…”