Proudly Feminist — But Some Girls are Scared to Speak Out
When it comes to speaking out about gender equality, 43% of young people say they would describe themselves as feminists – this includes half (51%) of girls and one in three boys (34%). For girls specifically, this increases with age: 45% of 12- to 14-year-old vs. 56% of 15- to 17-year-olds. While nearly the same proportion of girls (50%) say they are comfortable calling themselves feminists in public (which also increases with age – 43% of 12- to 14-year-olds vs. 56% of 15- to 17-year-olds), barriers seem to exist for others: 30% of girls say they are scared or hesitant to speak out and advocate for the equal rights of girls and women because of what might happen to them. Interestingly, this figure is significantly lower among Canadian adult women, only 16% of whom expressed this fear or hesitation in another Ipsos poll in 2017.10 The hesitation to speak out is echoed by Sophie, a Girl Guides National Youth Council Member, who recently shared, “Although I advocate for women's rights, I sometimes find it difficult to do this openly in a public setting because people will often make comments such as: ‘men matter too,’ etc. and give loads of backlash. I am afraid of being criticized for advocating for women's rights or called names by men who believe in double standards and by boys who do not value girls. I hope to one day see the change in society where I will be comfortable calling myself a feminist in public.”
Concerns for the Future
In general, concern about gender inequality in the future was significantly higher among young people who have personally been impacted by gender inequality, those who have been treated unfairly because of their gender, and those who have experienced sexism or regular incidents of gender inequality – all of which are more common experiences for girls.
Looking to the future, girls in particular are worried about how they will be treated as adults because of their gender. Thinking ahead to when they’re 25 years old, more than half (55%) of girls are concerned they will be treated unequally or unfairly at work because of their gender (vs. 27% of boys). Girls are also concerned they will receive unequal treatment in the interests or activities they pursue (47% vs. 29% of boys), in romantic relationships (36% vs. 25% of boys), and by the public in general (42% vs. 29% of boys).