I was a tad bit bemused to read a study that mothers are most to blame if their children develop sexist attitudes. A Spanish study of almost 1500 children, published in Psicothema, the journal of the Psychological Association of Spain, found the woman of the household was responsible for the development of discriminatory behaviour , even though she herself was more likely to be a victim of sexism.
I think this could be explained by children spending more time with her, the household chores she encourages them to do, the gifts they are given, the roles they infer and the important role she plays in the transference of values.
If we bear in mind women are the main victims of sexism, it is paradoxical they are the ones who have a greater influence when it comes to the transference of such damaging attitudes.
**The study analysed the sexism levels of 1455 sons and daughters aged between 11 and 17 along with 764 mothers and 648 fathers.
