Taipei: Traditional beliefs about gender roles in the family persist in Taiwan while public support for legal protections for transgender people declined, according to a government survey report released Friday. The latest report, based on a nationwide poll commissioned by the Executive Yuan’s Gender Equality Committee, found that while most Taiwanese reject gender stereotypes in the workplace and the educational arena, some conservative trends still dominate the private sphere.

According to Focus Taiwan, the report revealed that approximately 58 percent of Taiwanese polled agreed with the statement that “women are more suited than men to care for infants and young children,” a view that has maintained majority support for the past three years. Only 41 percent disagreed, indicating that traditional gender roles continue to hold sway in family settings.

The report highlighted generational and educational gaps in perceptions of family responsibilities, noting that individuals with higher gender equality awareness tended to be younger, better educated, and unmarried. This suggests that efforts to shift societal norms may find more success with younger demographics who are more open to progressive ideas.

At the same time, the report indicated a complex public stance on transgender rights. While over 91 percent of those surveyed expressed willingness to work alongside transgender individuals, only 40.6 percent supported allowing transgender people to change the gender marker on their identification cards without undergoing gender-affirming surgery. This marks a significant point of contention, as 57 percent opposed the measure, reflecting a 6.8 percent decrease in support from the previous year. The report emphasized the need for greater involvement of medical and psychological professionals in formulating transgender-related policies to foster public trust and acceptance.

Additionally, the report recommended enhancing education and advocacy efforts, particularly targeting older and less formally educated groups. Suggested methods included community activities, public talks, and radio programs to elevate gender equality awareness across various segments of the population.

The poll, conducted between April 24 and April 28, included 1,077 respondents aged 20 and over, providing a comprehensive snapshot of current societal attitudes in Taiwan.