According to a study, the proportion of men in Britain who are afraid to speak out and advocate for women’s rights has doubled since 2017. Gen Z and millennials think that women’s rights have gone “too far.” Men are becoming increasingly reluctant to advocate for women’s rights out of fear of retaliation.
Women’s History Month is celebrated in March, when women’s contributions to history and contemporary society are highlighted. Ironically, a study done this month reveals that the majority of millennials and members of Generation Z (Gen Z) think women’s rights have gone “too far.”
According to Ipsos UK and King’s College London’s Global Institute for Women’s Leadership research, 53% of Gen Z and 53% of millennials believe that society has gone too far in promoting women’s rights.
They hold the belief that men are being discriminated against because women’s rights have advanced so much.
Meanwhile, women’s rights are viewed with the same level of concern by 46% of Gen Xers and 40% of Baby Boomers.
The survey, which was carried out as part of the celebration of International Women’s Day, revealed that men are now increasingly afraid to promote women’s rights for fear of reprisals. Those born between 1965 and 1980 belong to the Gen X generation, while those born between 1981 and 1996 are millennials.
In Britain, the proportion of men who are afraid to speak up and advocate for women’s rights has doubled since 2017. However, the study demonstrates that the current generation is more nervous than their predecessors.
Additionally, the study demonstrates that Britons’ opposition to gender equality is growing.
However, people in Poland, Japan, and Portugal are less likely than Brits to believe that women’s rights advocacy has gone too far.
22,508 adults aged 18 to 74 in the United States, Canada, Malaysia, South Africa, and Turkey, 20 to 74 in Thailand, 21 to 74 in Indonesia, and Singapore were surveyed by Ipsos UK.
A glimmer of hope On a brighter note, the study also found that 47% of British people, compared to 40% in 2018, believe that gender equality will be achieved within their lifetime.
Kelly Beaver MBE, chief executive of Ipsos UK and Ireland, stated, “Our ongoing research into gender equality shows that we have made significant progress with nearly half of the people now agreeing that equality will be achieved within their lifetime.”
She went on to say, “However, there are signs that the public are starting to push back on this progress to date, which is potentially worrying, but it may also be a sign that real change is happening in society, and change can often make people uncomfortable and resistant,” in addition.
