New research on gender news shows that Americans have shifting views on how kids should be raised, with many believing boys don’t receive enough encouragement to express emotions or excel in school.
Key Findings from Pew:
- 57% of adults say there’s too little emphasis on encouraging boys to talk about their feelings, compared to 31% for girls.
- 43% say boys don’t get enough encouragement to do well in school, while 27% say the same for girls.
- 41% believe girls need more encouragement to stand up for themselves, compared to 37% for boys.
How Views Have Changed Since 2017
Public opinion has shifted significantly over the past eight years. Americans are now less likely to say there’s too little emphasis on encouraging girls to:
- Do well in school (27% now vs. 43% in 2017)
- Be leaders (38% vs. 53%)
- Stand up for themselves (41% vs. 54%)
Meanwhile, the perceived lack of emphasis on encouraging boys to succeed in school (43% now vs. 51% in 2017) or take leadership roles (36% vs. 41%) has also decreased.
Gender News and Political Differences
- Women (63%) are more likely than men (51%) to say boys aren’t encouraged to express emotions enough.
- Men are more likely than women to say boys need more encouragement to stand up for themselves and be leaders.
- Republicans are far more likely than Democrats to believe boys need more encouragement to take leadership roles (47% vs. 26%).
- Democrats are more likely to say girls need more encouragement to be leaders (50% vs. 27%).
As gender norms evolve, these findings highlight a national conversation on how society supports children in key areas of development.
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