Benevolent Sexism: Understanding the Factors, Impact, and Implications for Gender Equality

Abstract

This paper summarizes previous research articles on Benevolent Sexism (BS) from the perspectives of the role of attachment. The aim is to promote gender equality and improve the fairness experienced by individuals. The research findings indicate that women are more susceptible to accepting gender discrimination displayed by men, hindering their awareness of gender equality. Additionally, women with high attachment anxiety tend to prefer men who support BS attitudes, as BS weakens the recognition of sexism. Social factors also influence BS, as women are more inclined to form relationships with men who hold BS attitudes due to ignorance of the harmful consequences and the influence of evolution and social culture. BS also leads to gender segregation and differences, impeding women's achievements in male-dominated positions. However, the methods used in the aforementioned studies primarily involve questionnaires or scenario simulations, and it would be beneficial to incorporate behavioral experiments and other assessment methods to mitigate inevitable dishonesty. Furthermore, research on BS can be expanded to other fields such as political science, economics, and media studies to gain a more comprehensive understanding of its role and impact, and to develop effective countermeasures. Additionally, interdisciplinary and comparative studies can further enhance people’s understanding of BS, including its acceptance and impact in different cultural contexts, as well as the dissemination methods and influencing factors within social groups.