Uneven transitions: Period- and cohort-related changes in gender attitudes in China, 1995–2007

This paper analyzes temporal variations in two gender attitudes in China: beliefs about gender equality and perspectives on women’s combined work and family roles. It uses the most currently available population series from the 1995, 2001 and 2007 World Value Surveys of 4500 respondents and a series of multilevel cross-classified models to properly estimate period and cohort effects. Attitudes toward women’s dual roles manifest neither period nor cohort effects; the population displays a universal high level of acceptance of women’s paid employment. Orientations toward gender equality manifest both cohort and period effects: members of the youngest cohort of both sexes hold the most liberal attitudes; the positive effect of college education has increased over time. Attitude toward gender equality in China displays neither a shift toward conservatism nor an over-time trend toward egalitarianism in 1995–2007, a time of rapid economic growth.

► We use multilevel cross-classified models to study gender attitudes in China. ► Attitude toward women’s dual roles manifests neither period nor cohort effects. ► The youngest cohort holds the most liberal attitudes toward gender equality. ► The positive effect of college education on equality attitude has increased over time. ► Attitude toward gender equality did not change in 1995–2007.