The results of this study contain implications concerning the ways in which
gender affects social reality, and the ways in which the perspectives of women and men
differ. In particular, young men and women may experience difficulties in reconciling
their divergent gender role attitudes as they meet one another in the public sector, forge
romantic and/or marital relationships, and create families. The finding that men hold
predominantly neutral gender role beliefs—neither traditional nor egalitarian—suggests
that they may be open to more egalitarian patterns within their families and workplaces. If so, we may soon observe greater levels of gender equality. Men may soon become
more involved fathers and better husbands, and women may soon have greater
opportunities to fulfill their needs in addition to those of their family members.