In a recent survey, we decided to examine what roles are currently assigned to women and men in Polish society. Although social changes seem to blur the differences between them, it is undeniable that gender still exerts a huge influence on how we are perceived in everyday life and what expectations are placed upon us.

According to respondents, it is still expected more from women in Polish society that they will take care of the home and children (85%). Most people think they find it harder to combine professional and family life (62%). At the same time, most respondents acknowledged that women generally manage better with childcare (62%).

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Most respondents also agreed that men have greater reluctance to admit their weaknesses—whether as victims of domestic violence (79%) or when they simply feel unwell (75%). At the same time, over half of respondents agreed with the statement that a real man should earn well (57%).

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Attachment to traditional gender roles was more common among men, older respondents, and those with right-wing views. In contrast, sensitivity to women's issues was noted more frequently among women, older respondents, and leftists. Sensitivity to men's issues was more common among men themselves, but also among younger respondents and those with defined political views—both right-wing and left-wing.

In Polish households, decisions regarding both larger expenses and child-rearing are most often made jointly by men and women. In the past, in the family homes of respondents, women's roles predominated in upbringing. In finances, it was more common than now for decisions to be made solely by one person. However, the overall perception of the situation in Poland diverges from personal experiences. Respondents believe in a greater role of men in finances, even though in their own homes, these decisions are most often made together.

Finally, we wanted to check whether there is a division in public opinion in Poland into "male" and "female" professions, i.e., whether Poles believe that certain professions are better performed by one gender or another. To find out, we asked respondents to refer to several hypothetical situations in which the person performing a specific profession would significantly affect their life, well-being, or health. Although most respondents generally declared that the gender of the person performing a given profession would not matter to them, some responses revealed certain preferences in favour of men or women. People classified the professions of driver, firefighter, and surgeon as more "male," and caregiver and psychologist as more "female."

Preferences regarding the performance of a profession by a specific gender: