Women and home: This was supposed to be a story. The research results are merciless: 85% of Poles still have the same traditional expectations

According to 85 percent respondents, in Polish society, women are expected, to a greater extent than men, to take care of the house and children – CBOS reported in a study published on Tuesday. In turn, 80 percent respondents opposed the view that “a real man should not cry.”

The study “Poles about gender roles and differences between women and men” shows that according to 85 percent respondents, in Polish society, women are expected to take care of the house and children, to a greater extent than men. At the same time, 62 percent is of the opinion that a woman is generally able to take care of a child better than a man, “which would constitute some justification for the above norm.”

The belief that women have greater competences in this field was also much more common among men (69% compared to 56% among women). 61 percent respondents believe that in Polish families, women have the decisive say in matters of raising children.

CBOS reported that the second most frequently supported statement (69%) was that women should not perform physically difficult and dangerous work, such as construction work, mining or firefighting. “The majority of Poles also believed that women generally earn less than men doing the same job (62%) and that it is more difficult for women than men to combine professional and family life (62%),” we read.

The study also shows that among women, the view was clearly more widespread that women generally earn less than men doing the same work (69% compared to 52% in the group of men). “We also recorded this belief more often than average among older respondents (73% among the oldest compared to 35% among the youngest) and people with left-wing views (66% compared to 58% on the right),” CBOS reported.

Researchers found “a wide range of opinions” on the view that women currently place too much demand on men. “Men aged 25-34 (58%), living in smaller towns, less educated and professing right-wing views agreed with him more often than average (54% compared to 44% of women).

When it comes to statements relating to men, respondents most often shared two descriptive statements saying that men are more reluctant than women to admit their weakness – either when they are victims of domestic violence (79%) or when something is wrong with them (75%).

At the same time, 57 percent respondents “agreed with the normative statement that a real man should earn well.”

CBOS reported that The respondents' resistance was especially aroused by the idea that a real man should not cry (80% of the objections). As it noted, in last year's study of beliefs about masculinity and femininity among Generation Z and millennials, the requirement for men to “not cry” and hold back difficult emotions also received the most opposition. “However, masculine traits that translated into caring for women or general resourcefulness were valued – high earnings can undoubtedly fit into such a man's ideal,” it said.

Slightly more than half of the respondents were also opposed to the opinion that men generally avoid taking care of children (52% opposed to 41% who agreed) and that men currently have too high demands on women (51% opposed to 35% who agreed).

CBOS also asked respondents about who in their household most often makes decisions about major expenses. 69 percent indicated an equal division between men and women. In 17 percent in cases, the decision-maker is a woman, and in 12 percent – man.

The “Current problems and events” survey was conducted as part of a mixed-mode procedure on a representative named sample of adult residents of Poland, drawn from the PESEL register. They were carried out from July 3 to 13, 2025 on a sample of 970 people (including: 65.5% using the CAPI method, 19.7% – CATI and 14.8% – CAWI). (PAP)

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