UWLP Publishes Fifth of Six White Papers: Home, Health, Community and Allyship

The Utah Women & Leadership Project (UWLP) at Utah State University has released the fifth of six white papers that shares the results of a comprehensive study conducted earlier this fall. The study supports the efforts of “A Bolder Way Forward,” a statewide movement focused on ensuring that more Utah girls, women, and their families thrive.

The fifth white paper shares the findings from four topic areas: Home and Family, Health Across the Lifespan, Political and Civic Representation, and Allyship. The 82-item survey, taken from Oct. 1 to Nov. 20, 2024, included a combined sample (representative and convenience samples) of 4,721 Utahns, including 1,123 men.

“For those who want to more deeply understand public perceptions and attitudes regarding women and girls in home and family life, political and civic leadership, health across the lifespan, and male allyship, this 46-page report contains a significant amount of critical data that can help,” said lead researcher and author Susan Madsen, UWLP director and Karen Haight Huntsman Endowed Professor of Leadership in the USU Jon M. Huntsman School of Business. “We invite the public to view this report in its entirety.  This is our second year of data collection, and the report addresses how data may have changed since the inaugural 2023 survey.”

Home & Family
Four survey items provide additional insights regarding girls, women, and home and family life. Results of these items can guide strategies and initiatives focused on increasing healthy relationships and improving women’s experiences in the family domain, thereby strengthening all Utah families:

1. In conflicts, my partner and I have an equal opportunity to express our views and influence the outcome.
2. I feel the load of domestic labor is shared equitably within my home.
3. I feel the load of caregiving is shared equitably within my home.
4. In our relationship, I feel that my partner’s sexual needs are more important than my own.

For example, 73.2% of men agreed on some level that the load of domestic labor is shared equitably, compared to 61.0% of women. Regarding the equitable load of caregiving, again 73.2% of men agreed on some level, compared to 59.5% of women. The gap between men and women’s perceptions of equitable distribution of unpaid work in the home is something to continue to explore, both in the research, and as a topic for communication among individual couples as they work to strengthen and improve their own relationships.

Health Across the Lifespan
For a variety of reasons, Utah women are less likely than women in other states to seek out preventative healthcare—care that could detect, address, or otherwise support health-related goals or concerns. As such, five survey items provide additional insight to improve health outcomes among women:

1. It’s likely I will be able to schedule and complete a preventive healthcare visit in the next 12 months.
2. I feel empowered to make informed decisions regarding reproductive health that fit my needs and/or the needs of my family.
3. I am knowledgeable about perimenopause for women.
4. I feel physically, mentally, and emotionally safe in healthcare settings.
5. It is likely one of my healthcare providers will effectively screen me for intimate partner violence (and connect me with resources if needed) in the next year.

For example, 51.6% of women strongly agreed that they would complete a preventative healthcare visit in the next year, and women over 60 were most likely to agree, with women aged 18-24 least likely to agree. One interesting development that requires further exploration is regarding perimenopause; while 67.4% agreed on some level that they were knowledgeable about perimenopause, women who had lived in Utah for fewer than 2 years were significantly more likely to agree than any other residency category, indicating that other states may have stronger programs in place to educate women about the experience of perimenopause, though further research would need to be done to test that theory.

Political and Civic Representation
Representation is at the heart of American democracy. Four survey items explore public perceptions of and barriers to women’s involvement in political and civic leadership; responses can guide changes to be made at the individual, family, community, and societal levels which have potential to positively impact Utah’s girls, women, and their families:

1. If a woman were to serve in a political role, it would negatively impact her family.
2. Women are well suited for elected political positions.
3. I understand how to get involved in civic activities.
4. I engage in efforts important to the well-being of my community.

For instance, while respondents generally disagreed that serving in a political role would negatively impact a woman’s family, there were some interesting differences by gender: 67.0% of women disagreed on some level compared to 47.9% of men. In addition, while 77.1% of men agreed on some level that women are well suited for elected positions, only 30.9% of men strongly agreed, compared to 57.8% of women who strongly agreed.

“These numbers indicate an opportunity for Utahns to examine their own unconscious biases,” said Madsen. “The research has and continues to show the benefits of having women leaders; our local and state governments will be stronger, creativity of solutions will increase, and Utah families will fare better as men and women lead together.”

Male Allyship
Allyship is defined as actively supporting and advocating for a group without being a member of it. While there is great value in women supporting other women, men who are allies are uniquely positioned to advocate for and elevate women in ways that can open doors and opportunities. Four survey items explore public perceptions of men’s willingness and attitudes toward being allies to women in Utah; responses can promote opportunity for discussion, as well as guide changes to be made at the individual, family, community, and societal levels in support of Utah’s girls and women:

1. Men in Utah are supportive of women becoming leaders.
2. Men in Utah are engaged in efforts to have more women in leadership roles.
3. Utah men are interested in supporting women.
4. There are opportunities and resources available to help Utah men become better allies for women.

For example, men generally agree (57.5%) that they are supportive of women becoming leaders; only 32.9% women, however, agreed on some level, highlighting an opportunity for men and women alike to learn about strategies to increase and make more visible male allyship. And while such resources exist, one of three male respondents (37.9%) disagreed or were unsure of resources or opportunities to learn to become better allies. One male respondent commented, “As a husband and father, I cannot believe some of the things I see and hear in this state. I have hope that as my daughter grows, things will improve for her. But the attitudes of many of my peers have been discouraging. And yet, I have met enough like-minded men at my age or younger that I can have hope for change in the near future.”

“Utah must do better to ensure everyone thrives,” said Madsen. “As Utah decision makers and residents join to find ways to strengthen the impact of girls and women more effectively, more Utah women and families will feel connected to our state’s well-known mantra: ‘This Is the Place.’ And, in fact, when more women can feel like ‘This is Her Place,’ too, we will know Utah is finally becoming a place where women are truly valued.”

Susan R. Madsen is the author of this white paper. 

Click here to read the full report.