When Recognition Is Not Enough: Predictors of Parents’ Willingness to Address Sexism with Children

Abstract Despite harmful effects of sexism on children, little is known about whether and how parents address it. For the first time, three studies examined parents’ reports of whether they would address sexism with their child if the child were the target of sexist treatment. Study 1 investigated parents’ beliefs about addressing sexism, their strategies, and its predictors. Although parents rated sexism as equally important as other sensitive topics, they were less likely to explain it to children. The belief that sexism should be addressed with children was predicted by egalitarian gender-role beliefs, prior discussions of sexism with one’s own parents, and being a mother rather than a father. Study 2 extended these findings to real-life scenarios using vignettes, examining factors influencing parents’ recognition and responses to sexism. Parents were more likely to recognise sexism when presented explicitly than ambiguously, and when targets were girls compared to boys. However, recognition did not increase willingness to discuss it. Parents generally avoided sexism, focusing instead on the child’s reaction. Study 3 tested whether children’s reactions influenced parents’ willingness to discuss sexism. Parents were more willing to talk when the child was upset. Recognition did not increase willingness to discuss when the child was indifferent. We consider these findings and how models of addressing bias can be extended to reflect parent–child dynamics.