Boys in Hong Kong have dismissed many aspects behind the concept of equal opportunity as 'unthinkable', a study has found.
Equal Opportunities Commission-sponsored research by the University of Hong Kong found boys' thinking was more stereotyped than female classmates.
Unlike girls, boys said it was unthinkable that girls should take the lead in dating, that boys should learn domestic science or childcare or that boys should do as much housework as girls.
Boys surveyed also were dismayed by the prospect of men having female bosses or of receiving financial support from their wives - things girls found acceptable.
Some school subjects and personality traits perceived as masculine by boys were classified as neutral by girls.
But girls were still influenced by gender stereotyping, nominating traditional female occupations as their planned careers and saying they did not want to be the main breadwinner.
Commission chairwoman Anna Wu Hung-yuk said stereotyping restricted children from reaching their full potential. She called on publishers, schools and teachers to reflect equal opportunities, social diversity and changing social realities.
