[theqoo] ONE IN THREE GENZ SAYS "WIFE SHOULD BE OBEDIENT TO THEIR HUSBAND"

An international survey found that 31% of Gen Z men (born 1996-2012) agree that "wives should always obey their husbands." Thirty-three percent of Gen Z men also believe that "husbands should have the final say" on important marital decisions.

This survey was conducted to mark International Women's Day (March 8th) by the Global Women's Leadership Institute at King's College London (KCL) and the polling firm Ipsos. They surveyed approximately 23,000 adults in 29 countries worldwide, conducted online and offline, from December 24, 2025, to January 9th. The sample size ranged from 500 to 2,200 people per country, including 500 from Korea.

The survey found that younger men held more strongly to traditional gender stereotypes than older generations. Among Baby Boomer men (born 1945-1965), only 13% agreed with the statement, "Wives should always obey their husbands," and 17% agreed with the statement, "Husbands have the final say," both figures roughly half that of Gen Z men.

The gender role stereotypes held by Gen Z men were confirmed not only in the roles they expected of women, but also in the norms they applied to themselves. Among Gen Z men, 21% agreed that “men who participate in childcare are less manly than men who do not,” which was more than twice the percentage of Baby Boomer men (8%). A higher percentage of Gen Z men (43%) than Baby Boomer men (25%) also agreed that “young men should strive to be physically strong regardless of their natural build.” More Gen Z men (30%) than Baby Boomer men (20%) agreed with the statement that “men should not say ‘I love you’ to their friends.”

Foreign media outlets, including the BBC, have cited economic insecurity and the influence of online and social media culture as reasons why young men have developed more traditional and sexist stereotypes than older generations. This suggests that the "manosphere" (male-dominated online community) and online influencers, who fuel anxiety that "gender equality policies are taking away men's opportunities and resources" and spread male supremacist and misogynistic discourse, have a significant impact on the perceptions of younger men.

However, some responses defied the simple explanation of Gen Z's perceptions as simply "conservative." In the same survey, 41% of Gen Z men agreed that "women with successful careers are more attractive to men." Around 27% of Baby Boomer men agreed with the same statement. Kelly Bieber, CEO of Ipsos UK and Ireland, noted, "An interesting 'duality' has emerged among Gen Z men (where modern values coexist with traditional gender role perceptions)."

Meanwhile, the survey also revealed a gap beyond generational differences between what respondents personally think about traditional gender role stereotypes and what their society expects of them. The average response across 29 countries for "I personally believe that women should be responsible for most childcare" was 17%, but when asked "I believe that in my country, women should be responsible for most childcare," the agreement rate jumped to 35%. Similarly, the average response across 29 countries for the belief that "men should earn money" was 24%, but this jumped to 40% when asked about their country of origin.

“The survey results show that many people feel pressured by societal expectations that are different from what the majority actually think,” said Jeong Hee-jeong, director of the Global Women’s Leadership Institute. “In reality, gender role norms are changing, and more and more people want to view gender roles more equally and flexibly.”

source: https://n.news.naver.com/mnews/article/028/0002795089?sid=102

original post: here

1. They think they can actually get married?

2. Then live among men by yourselves!

3. Why not ask this to women instead? We'll only marry if the husband obeys us

4. Hannams

5. There's a reason Korea is leading in low child birth... But looks like other countries will hit 0.6% soon too

6. Only people who are okay living like that will end up getting married

7. Tsk tsk know your place and obey your wife quietly instead

8. Delusional

9. Is the Joseon era coming back?

10. They really want us to tell them to f*ck off