Prevalence and determinants of traditional sexist attitudes in Germany-an analysis based on Allbus data

Traditional sexism is still often present in Germans of both genders. To elucidate the mechanism of its development the paper is seeking for determinants of gender roles. Based on the ALLBUS 2008 data set structural equation models were calculated to separate direct from indirect factors. Both, socialization as well as the situation, play a role in development of traditional sexism. The following determinants where found as most relevant in both genders: (insufficient) education, origin from the western part of Germany, birth earlier than 1949, anti-egalitarian values and, a factor previously not investigated, anomia. Surprisingly two other determinants of sexism were only seen in men: Not working mother and the feeling of economic deprivation. These results provide starting points to reduce sexist attitudes in the future.