Research Highlights Men’s Recognition of Sexism Through Romantic Relationships

New research, appearing in Social Psychological and Personality Science, reveals that men in romantic relationships with women are more likely to perceive sexism when their partner shares personal experiences of discrimination. The findings suggest that these men are more empathetic, better at identifying discriminatory situations, and show increased awareness regarding sexism and a commitment to gender equality when they adopt their partner’s perspective.

This study, led by Emily J. Cross from York University in Canada, brings attention to how romantic partnerships can create an environment that enhances men’s awareness of gender discrimination. Traditional methods aimed at reducing sexism often don’t resonate with men, but this research points to the potential effectiveness of hearing firsthand accounts from a significant other as a way to deepen understanding and challenge gender-biased attitudes.

Cross, a senior research associate, noted that typically, men tend to be less likely than women to recognize gender discrimination or comprehend its impact—perhaps due to the accusatory nature of discussions about sexism, which can lead to defensiveness. However, the act of taking someone else’s perspective has been shown to lessen prejudice and discrimination. The close emotional connection in romantic relationships may encourage men to comprehend their partner’s experiences better.

The researchers aimed to discover if this emotional intimacy could motivate men to see gender discrimination not merely as isolated incidents but as part of a larger pattern of inequality. They conducted two studies involving heterosexual men who had been in romantic relationships with women for at least a year.

In the first study, 576 participants were asked to read a scenario involving workplace gender discrimination. The scenario featured a woman described as either the man’s romantic partner, a close friend, or a stranger. All participants learned about a male colleague earning 25% more than her based on similar qualifications, leading her to suspect that gender played a role in the pay gap.

After reading, participants assessed their ability to empathize with the woman, how sexist they found the situation, and their general awareness of sexism. They also filled out surveys on their overall attitudes about gender, including modern sexist beliefs and protective paternalism—the notion that men should safeguard women.

Results indicated that men were more inclined to empathize when the woman was identified as their partner and rated the situation as more sexist compared to those who read about a friend or a stranger. This effect persisted even when accounting for factors like existing empathy levels, relationship quality, and sexist beliefs.

However, merely imagining a partner experiencing sexism didn’t directly cause significant changes in attitudes towards gender, nor did it enhance awareness of discrimination against women as a whole. That said, when the researchers looked at indirect effects, they discovered that taking the partner’s perspective did increase the chances of viewing the scenario as sexist, which was related to higher general awareness and lower scores for modern sexist attitudes.

The second study aimed to see if a similar trend occurred when men recalled genuine experiences shared by their partners. The researchers surveyed 570 men, 432 of whom stated their partner had discussed facing gender discrimination, with examples like denial of promotions, unwanted sexual attention, or sexist jokes.

Participants recounted these incidents and indicated their levels of empathy, views on the discriminatory nature of the situation, and their overall awareness of societal sexism. They also shared beliefs about their partner’s experiences with discrimination and whether they had taken action to promote gender equality, like confronting sexist remarks or learning more about women’s issues.

As anticipated, men who demonstrated greater empathy when their partner disclosed experiences of sexism were more likely to view these situations as discriminatory. This recognition correlated with a higher awareness of how frequently women—and their partners specifically—face discrimination, as well as increased engagement in ally behaviors, like committing to challenge gender bias.

Crucially, these results held even when controlling for existing gender role beliefs and other factors, pointing to the significant impact of the relational context on men’s reactions to discussions about sexism.

“The consistency of the perspective-taking effect was striking,” Cross commented. “These effects were evident regardless of how close men felt to their partner, their satisfaction with the relationship, or their pre-existing gender views. What truly mattered was the act of empathizing—imagining how her experience felt when she described an incident of sexism.”

The study underscores how romantic partnerships can encourage men to become more aware of sexism by fostering meaningful connections. When men are personally linked to someone affected by discrimination, they may be more willing to recognize and question their own assumptions.

“Men were more attuned to sexism when it involved their romantic partner rather than a friend or stranger,” Cross noted. “This recognition extended to their overall beliefs—men showed greater awareness of gender discrimination and were less inclined to endorse subtle attitudes that minimize or dismiss sexism.”

Nevertheless, the study has its limitations.

“We focused specifically on male–female relationships, so we didn’t explore whether these dynamics apply in other relationship types,” Cross acknowledged. “While empathy is an effective means to build awareness, it alone isn’t sufficient; substantial progress necessitates systemic changes and collective initiatives to challenge gender inequality.”

The researchers propose future studies could investigate these dynamics in other close relationships—like those between siblings or parents and children—and examine whether enhanced listening skills could help men engage more with accounts of discrimination. Long-term studies might also unpack whether empathy leads to heightened awareness over time or if increased awareness encourages men to empathize more.

“We’re keen to explore how men react to a wider range of women’s disclosures—from subtle to overt discrimination—and what responses they find supportive,” Cross mentioned. “We’re also interested in real-time discussions, including the factors that foster meaningful engagement versus those that lead to defensiveness.”

“One of the key takeaways is that male–female romantic relationships can significantly enhance men’s awareness of sexism and gender discrimination,” she added. “When men genuinely listen and connect with their partner’s experiences, they might start recognizing sexism not just as a remote issue but as one that significantly impacts the women they care about, viewing it as part of a broader societal concern that needs addressing.”