Which group exhibited relatively greater gender equality than other groups?

Which group exhibited relatively greater gender equality than other groups?

• A. Mexican Americans
• B. Chinese Americans
• C. Mormons
• D. African Americans

Answer: (D)

The main idea here is how power and decision-making within families are distributed between genders. In many studies of family life, African American households have been described as showing relatively greater gender equality in the domestic sphere. This doesn't mean there is no gender hierarchy at all, but women often play a central and influential role in managing resources, caregiving, and daily family life, especially in contexts where men face unemployment, absence, or economic strain. That dynamic can lead to more collaborative or woman-empowered decision-making within the home. In contrast, the other groups tend to be associated with stronger traditional gender scripts: Mexican American families often reflect machismo and marianismo beliefs that emphasize male authority and traditional gender roles; Chinese American families have been noted for emphasizing filial piety and male-headed households; and Mormon families have explicit religiously framed norms that assign primary leadership to men in the family structure. Because of these patterns, those groups are typically viewed as exhibiting less relative gender equality in the family context compared to African American families, although there is variation within each group.

The main idea here is how power and decision-making within families are distributed between genders. In many studies of family life, African American households have been described as showing relatively greater gender equality in the domestic sphere. This doesn't mean there is no gender hierarchy at all, but women often play a central and influential role in managing resources, caregiving, and daily family life, especially in contexts where men face unemployment, absence, or economic strain. That dynamic can lead to more collaborative or woman-empowered decision-making within the home.

In contrast, the other groups tend to be associated with stronger traditional gender scripts: Mexican American families often reflect machismo and marianismo beliefs that emphasize male authority and traditional gender roles; Chinese American families have been noted for emphasizing filial piety and male-headed households; and Mormon families have explicit religiously framed norms that assign primary leadership to men in the family structure. Because of these patterns, those groups are typically viewed as exhibiting less relative gender equality in the family context compared to African American families, although there is variation within each group.