Work

Polarizing Views About Feminists and Gender Egalitarianism in Canada

Year: 2026

Type: article

Abstract: International evidence reveals growing ideological divisions between women and men. On average, in industrialized countries, women are leaning more liberal, men more conservative. Among young men especially, anti-feminist sentiment is growing, while simultaneously more women are embracing feminist causes. Little recent national research in Canada has explored these trends. Analyzing pooled national surveys conducted between 1993 and 2025 (N > 130,000), I examine longitudinal trends in how women and men place themselves on the political right or left, feel about feminists, and support gender egalitarianism. Four key findings emerge: (i) evidence of an expanding gender gap across several core measures; (ii) a subtle yet notable increase in opinion diversity among men; (iii) a recent surge among women in support for feminist causes; and (iv) recent period effects that appear to be driving the growing gender gap. Together these results offer a nuanced portrait of gendered realignments in contemporary Canada.

Source: Canadian Review of Sociology/Revue canadienne de sociologie

DOI: 10.1111/cars.70059

Author: Neil Guppy

Institution: University of British Columbia

Language: English

Topic: Gender Politics and Representation

Subfield: Gender Studies

Field: Social Sciences

Domain: Social Sciences

SDGs: Gender equality, Reduced inequalities

Open Access status: hybrid

Estimated APC paid: $3,010