The interplay between gender and the state is a significant area of study across multiple disciplines. Feminist scholarship, encompassing various perspectives (liberal, radical, socialist, post-structural, Nordic), highlights the state's profound influence on gender relations, particularly in China. While existing research often adopts a top-down approach focusing on state policies and ideologies (e.g., birth planning, Confucianism's resurgence), this study employs a bottom-up perspective to understand the role of public opinion, specifically among China's youth (ages 18-35), in shaping gender role attitudes. Young people are crucial because they are actively forming beliefs and values, and they often lead social change. This study investigates how their attitudes are shaped by their perception of the Chinese state and its long-standing, traditionalist educational approach. By examining their views, we gain insight into the extent to which compliance with or resistance to traditional gender roles is linked to their perceptions of the state. The study aims to develop a comprehensive and operational scale to measure gender role attitudes among this population and to explore the psycho-political antecedents of these attitudes, offering valuable insights into the ongoing progress and challenges of gender equality in China.

Existing literature on the gender-state interplay in China predominantly uses a top-down approach, examining state policies and their impact on gender inequality. Studies have analyzed birth planning policies and the revival of Confucianism and their influence on gender relations. However, bottom-up perspectives remain limited. Some research has focused on regional comparisons of gender role attitudes, revealing differences between mainland China and Taiwan. Other studies focus on women and youth, considering education, marital status, motherhood, and psychological well-being in relation to gender attitudes. Studies on youth highlight the coexistence of egalitarian and essentialist attitudes in different societal domains. This study aims to fill three identified gaps in the literature: (1) extending the analysis beyond a top-down perspective by incorporating public opinion; (2) integrating political ideations into the study of youth mentation, considering the state's influence on gender policies and ideologies; and (3) creating a more comprehensive measurement scale that includes Chinese views on marriage and fertility, crucial aspects often omitted in existing international surveys.

This study uses an online survey conducted through the Wenjuanxing platform in China. The survey employed a quota procedure to ensure representation across age, gender, and education levels. Initially, 1200 participants were recruited; after eliminating ineligible participants, duplicates, and those who completed the survey in less than 180 seconds, 885 participants were retained (59.9% male, 40.1% female, primarily aged 18-25, with a majority holding bachelor's degrees or higher). Participants were compensated with 6 Chinese RMB. The study measured four indicators of gender role attitudes: male priority, child suffering, gender ideology, and marriage and fertility. These indicators were adapted from the European Value Survey (EVS), with the addition of marriage and fertility, considering its significance in the Chinese context. An exploratory factor analysis was used to determine whether these indicators could be combined into a single measure of gender egalitarianism. The study also measured system-justifying beliefs using an adapted scale, national identification using an adapted National Identification Scale, and life satisfaction using the Satisfaction with Life Scale. Bivariate correlations and multiple regression analyses were employed to examine the associations between gender role attitudes and the other variables.

Exploratory factor analysis revealed that the four indicators of gender role attitudes—male priority, child suffering, gender ideology, and marriage and fertility—loaded significantly onto a single factor, suggesting that they reflect a common underlying construct of gender egalitarianism. Cronbach's alpha for this factor was 0.87, indicating good internal consistency. Bivariate correlation analysis showed that gender egalitarianism was negatively correlated with system justification, life satisfaction, and national identification. Older participants and males displayed less egalitarian attitudes, while higher educational attainment was associated with more egalitarian views. Multiple regression analysis, controlling for demographic variables, revealed that system justification, life satisfaction, gender (women showed significantly higher levels of egalitarianism), and age significantly predicted gender egalitarianism. National identification was not a significant predictor.

The study's findings demonstrate that gender role attitudes among Chinese youth are closely linked to their perceptions of the state and its promoted values. The strong correlation between gender egalitarianism and system justification suggests that those who support the existing socio-political system tend to be more accepting of traditional gender roles, as those are reinforced by the state's policies and cultural promotion. The negative correlation between egalitarianism and national identification reflects the intertwining of family and nation in the Chinese context, where upholding traditional values is seen as crucial for social harmony and national stability. The negative association with life satisfaction could stem from the awareness among egalitarian-minded youth of inequalities perpetuated by state policies, resulting in lower life satisfaction compared to those accepting of these inequalities. These findings highlight the interplay between individual attitudes, cultural norms, and state-level policies in shaping gender relations in China. The close relationship between family and nation construction reinforces the role of state ideology and Confucian values in shaping gender attitudes among young people.

This study contributes a novel, refined measurement instrument for gender role attitudes in the Chinese context. It reveals a complex relationship between youth gender attitudes, their perceptions of the state, and other psycho-political factors. Future research could explore other antecedents of gender role attitudes, consider broader age ranges and socioeconomic backgrounds, and investigate the effectiveness of interventions aimed at promoting gender equality in China. The limitations of relying on online surveys and the possibility of response bias should be addressed in future studies.

The study's reliance on an online survey, while efficient, may limit generalizability due to the sample's characteristics (primarily young, highly educated individuals). Additionally, the potential for response bias, given the sensitive nature of the topics and the Chinese context of self-censorship, needs acknowledgment. The study's cross-sectional nature limits causal inferences, and future longitudinal research would strengthen understanding of dynamic changes in gender role attitudes.