Intergenerational Evolution of Gender Bias in Spain: Analysis of Values Surveys

Abstract

This article uses data from the World Values Survey (WVS) and the European Values Study (EVS) for Spain, covering the years between 2005 and 2022 (waves 5, 6, and 7) to analyse the evolution of gender bias in different dimensions: politics, education, economics, and family. The results indicate a positive trend towards the reduction of gender bias, especially in areas of political leadership and education. However, certain biases remain, particularly among older generations. The analysis reveals that variables such as sex, education level, religion, political orientation, and materialistic values have a statistically significant influence on gender bias. Young people demonstrate a higher acceptance of gender equality compared to older adults. However, the younger generations are exposed to ideological and moral influences that cause changes in their perception of politics and democracy. One‐fifth of the sample surveyed did not consider gender equality relevant as a constitutive element of democratic regimes, which seems to indicate a relative fading of the political and moral significance of gender equality as an issue for a significant proportion of young Spaniards. Religion is the only variable linked with a higher probability of maintaining gender biases, and even accentuating them among young people, which would be indicative of a correlation between religion and the adoption of ideologically conservative positions, in line with the socio‐political dynamics of polarisation and the growing influence of neo‐conservative movements in Spanish society.