Exploring Cultural Differences in Gender Role Ideology in the Formation of Romantic Relationships

Gender inequality has implications for the lives of both men and women across the world. The formation of romantic relationships provides a unique insight into the factors individuals and culture place importance upon. This study aims to explore gender role ideology in marriage, parental influence on mate choice, benevolent sexism, and sense of power, in the early stages of relationships. By focussing on two Western cultures – the United Kingdom and the United States – and two non-Western cultures – India and Brazil – it aims to assess cultures differences and similarities in the factors influencing the formation of relationships. Data were collected from 494 participants from the cultures of interest, at two times points approximately three months apart. Participants were asked questions about their relationship status, as well as about a number of gender-related attitudes. Analysis was conducted to explore cultural and gender differences in the variables measured, finding gender differences in sexism and gender role ideology but not sense of power, and cultural differences in sexism, gender role ideology and parental influence on mate choice. Analysis of longitudinal data observed attitudinal stability across cultures, and no interactions between parental influence on mate choice or gender role ideology in marriage and relationship status change. Exploratory analysis is also discussed. Results are discussed in the context of cultural differences in gender-related attitudes at the formation of relationships and what this can tell us about gender inequality