Singapore gender examine: Gen Z most divided on gender roles

Preliminary findings from a examine on gender norms by SG Her Empowerment (SHE) discovered that younger women and men in Singapore are extra divided of their views on conventional gender roles in contrast with their older counterparts.

The gender equality non-profit organisation discovered that the gender hole was widest amongst Gen Zs, whereas child boomers and people older had comparatively related views.

The examine outlined Gen Z as these born in 1997 or later, millennials as these born between 1981 and 1996, Gen X as these born between 1965 and 1980, and child boomers and older as these born in 1964 or earlier.

Called the Gender Norms Perceptions Study, researchers additionally discovered that in contrast with older males, Gen Z and millennial males have been extra more likely to agree with or be impartial about spousal violence.

The examine is predicated on responses from 2,087 Singapore residents and everlasting residents aged 15 and above who participated in a survey carried out in December 2025.

Natalie Chia, SHE’s director of analysis, stated the examine goals to trace Singaporeans’ attitudes in direction of gender norms throughout areas reminiscent of work, household, finance, well being and security.

The preliminary findings come amid rising world discussions about gender norms and points, such because the case of a 19-year-old male in Singapore who was radicalised on-line by violent incel ideology, Chia added.

“We wanted to understand how these beliefs shaped the way people relate to one another in local society,” Chia instructed CNA Women. “Many recent cases highlighted the importance of having informed, evidence-based conversations about gender norms in Singapore.”

She added that the examine was supposed to supply proof of Singaporeans’ attitudes in direction of gender norms to tell future dialogue, suggestions and coverage discussions.

A fuller set of outcomes might be launched in early 2027.

YOUNGER MEN MORE LIKELY TO ACCEPT SPOUSAL VIOLENCE

One of the preliminary findings was that Gen Z and millennial males have been extra more likely to condone violence between husband and spouse, in contrast with older males.

As an entire, round 80 per cent of respondents disagreed that there have been conditions the place it will be acceptable for a husband to beat his spouse, and vice versa.

However, when requested if there have been conditions by which spousal violence was acceptable, 30 per cent of millennial and Gen Z males agreed or have been impartial, in contrast with 20 per cent of child boomer and older males.

Among ladies, attitudes have been extra constant throughout age teams. Less than 20 per cent of all feminine respondents usually agreed or have been impartial on whether or not spousal violence was acceptable.

Chia defined that the notion youthful males have in direction of spousal violence could possibly be as a result of larger entry they need to sexual content material.

“Younger Singaporeans grew up with more access to sexual content than those in previous generations, especially content with depictions of coercion and violence,” Chia stated.

“Based on a SHE study in 2024 on online spaces for men and women, young men were also more likely than young women to encounter adult nudity and sexual content incidentally through algorithms and the way social media platforms are designed for men, not because the boys are purposely seeking it out.

“A generation encountering this kind of content at scale is likely to have its sense of what’s acceptable shaped by it.”

YOUNGER MEN AND WOMEN MORE DIVIDED ON TRADITIONAL GENDER ROLES

The examine additionally discovered a widening hole between youthful men and women of their views on conventional gender roles – youthful ladies have been extra more likely to reject conventional societal expectations of each ladies and men.

Men, nevertheless, have been comparatively constant of their views throughout the completely different generations.

Among Gen Z respondents, 54 per cent of girls disagreed {that a} girl’s important function in society is to be a spouse, in contrast with 29 per cent of males.

Among child boomers and older respondents, the hole was narrower: 39 per cent of girls disagreed with the assertion, in contrast with 27 per cent of males.

An analogous pattern was seen in views on males’s roles. In the examine, 50 per cent of Gen Z ladies disagreed {that a} man’s important function in society is to be a husband, in contrast with 26 per cent of Gen Z males.

Meanwhile, amongst child boomers and older respondents, 35 per cent of girls disagreed with the assertion, in contrast with 24 per cent of males.

Chia stated the widening hole in attitudes amongst youthful Singaporeans may make it tougher for younger women and men to search out widespread floor when discussing gender points, as they discover it troublesome to agree with each other.

“It is high time we rethink and grow the consensus between women and men for future generations,” she added.

GENDER STEREOTYPES HARM BOTH MEN AND WOMEN

The examine additionally discovered that conventional gender stereotypes drawback each men and women. This is regardless of extra males in Singapore taking up caregiving duties historically related to ladies, and extra ladies changing into their households’ main breadwinners.

The influence was evident within the office. Out of all of the respondents who took parental leave, half reported adverse experiences at work.

Men have been extra more likely to report employment setbacks, reminiscent of not being employed for a job, whereas ladies have been extra more likely to report profession growth setbacks, together with fewer alternatives for development.

“The results point towards how, while women are penalised when they don’t conform to expectations that they be caring and nurturing, men face the same problem but in the opposite way,” Chia stated.

“For men, taking parental leave or requesting flexi-work arrangements runs counter to the ‘men are breadwinners’ stereotype, since it means stepping away from work and into caregiving.

“This leads to real stigma, including not being hired because he has plans to take paternity leave, or because he asked for flexi-work arrangements.”

Chia added: “It is a loss for us, as a society, that such stigma persists, more so that caregiving and providing are seen as being in tension. A man who spends more time caregiving is also providing for his family, through his presence and attention.

“There’s also a risk that real frustration gets redirected into a narrative that blames gender equity, blames women, for problems neither caused,” Chia stated.

She added that gender stereotypes forestall each women and men in Singapore from thriving within the office and at residence.

“Tackling stereotypes towards women and men can help everyone pursue opportunities to their fullest potential,” she stated. “It’s on us, as a society, to keep doing the work of rethinking what caring and providing actually mean, for women and men alike.”