Young people are significantly more likely than older generations to hold hostile attitudes towards women and these attitudes are being reflected in classroom behaviour, according to new research from the University of Melbourne.
1,122 young people aged 13-17 and 2,307 adults, to compare attitudes on women, gender equality, online influences and violent extremism. The study also surveyed more than 500 Australian school teachers about their experiences of misogyny and extremism in classrooms.
Study author Dr Sara Meger, from the University of Melbourne’s Faculty of Arts, said the findings were concerning.
“These attitudes were far more prevalent among the young people surveyed, and of everything we measured, these hostile views were the single strongest predictor of support for violent extremism,” Dr Meger said.
Among boys aged 13-17 the study found:
- 31.8 per cent believed that attempts to give equal opportunities to women in Australia have gone too far
- 30.1 per cent believed men have more of a right to a job than women when jobs are scarce
- 24.7 per cent believed feminism is damaging to our society and should be resisted with violence if necessary.
On several measures, teenage girls shared similar views to adult men surveyed. Gen Z women were twice as likely as Millennial women, and four times as likely as Gen X women, to agree that marriage entitles a husband to sex with his wife, even if she does not want to.
The study found these attitudes were associated with the online content young people were consuming.
“Engagement with ‘manosphere’ content, pornography and online dating showed the strongest links to misogynistic views,” Dr Meger, said.
Teachers surveyed reported students quoting influencers such as Andrew Tate and repeating ‘manosphere’ language in class to justify refusing instructions from female staff while complying with identical instructions from male colleagues. This behaviour was reported among children as young as six.
“This study shows that the problems with misogyny are structural, not individual,” Dr Meger said.
The report identifies several recommendations for policy reform, directly informed by the findings, including:
- Earlier respectful relationships education
- Recognising misogyny within counter-extremism approaches
- Stronger regulation of online platforms and algorithms.
Chanel Contos, CEO of Teach Us Consent, said the findings highlighted the impact of harmful online content on young people.
“This research reflects what we see through our work with young people,” Ms Contos said. “Our social media feeds and algorithms have become fertile ground for content that promotes violence against women and girls, and we’re seeing the consequences unfold in schools and communities across the country.”
CEO of Our Watch, Patty Kinnersly, said the study’s findings reinforced the need for earlier prevention.
“This study adds to the growing evidence that misogynistic attitudes are linked to real-world violence and harm,” Ms Kinnersly said. “The good news is these attitudes are not inevitable, and we know what helps prevent them from taking hold. Given these attitudes can form during adolescence, prevention has to start earlier.”
“What begins as hostility towards women does not stay there. These attitudes are the single strongest predictor of support for violent extremism, which makes this a national security issue, not only a social one.” Dr Meger said.
