gender role ideology

n. Gender role ideology is the conception of what gender roles should be, which may vary from gender role behaviors. Gender role ideology varies along a dimension that ranges from traditional to egalitarian. Those with traditional gender role ideology believe that men and women have different natures and abilities and thus should have different appearances and behaviors. Both women and men may hold traditional gender ideology, but men are more likely to do so than women. Those with an egalitarian gender role ideology believe that men and women should be treated equally. People with this ideology may hold varying beliefs about the underlying natures of women and men, but they believe that neither women nor men should be discriminated for or against on the basis of their sex. Both women and men may hold egalitarian gender ideology, but women are more likely to do so than men.

- LB