Mums most to blame for ‘sexist kids’

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Mothers are the most responsible in transferring of sexist attitudes to children, scientists say.

The study was carried out using a sample of 1455 adolescents between 11 and 17 years of age along with their mothers and fathers (764 and 648).

Researchers found that mothers were behind the woman of the household who is to blame for the development of discriminatory behaviour, even though she herself is more likely to be a victim of sexism.

The phenomenon could be explained by children spending more time with her, the household chores she encourages them to do, the gifts they are given and the roles they infer and the important role she plays in the transference of values, the report said.

“The degree of sexism in the mother is more linked to that of her sons or daughters in comparison to the influence of the father,” the Daily Mail quoted co-author Garaigordobil, from the University of the Basque Country, Spainm as saying.

The study also confirms that sexist attitudes are linked to gender: adolescent boys reach significantly higher levels than girls and the same can be said for fathers in comparison to mothers.

Garaigordobil also found that that the greater the socio-economic and cultural level of the family, the lower the level of sexism in both sons and daughter and in mothers and fathers.

The study has been published in the magazine Psicothema.