Gender differences in knowledge and attitude regarding breastfeeding

Abstract

The literature presented evidence that the opinions and attitudes of the father or male partner towards breastfeeding have a strong positive correlation with breastfeeding initiation and duration. Men are also found less knowledgeable about breastfeeding and are more positive towards formula feeding than women. Using a survey of college-aged men and women, this study provides in-depth understanding of gender differences in knowledge and attitude regarding breastfeeding. The Infant Feeding Knowledge Test and the Iowa Infant Feeding Attitude Scale were included in the questionnaire in addition to questions about the respondents' intention to breastfeed, exposure to breastfeeding during infancy and socio-demographic characteristics of the family of origin. The final sample consists of 181 women and 88 men enrolled in a university in the Southern US. Linear regressions with gender interaction terms were estimated in order to isolate the gender-specific correlations between their family background and their knowledge and attitude regarding breastfeeding. A series of Chi-square tests examined whether the regression coefficients were significantly different between men and women. Results support existing evidence of gender gap in breastfeeding knowledge and attitude. More importantly, the study reveals that the influence of one's family background on their knowledge and attitude regarding breastfeeding is significantly different between men and women. It suggests a possibility of greater disagreement regarding feeding choices within a higher socioeconomic status (SES) couple. Theoretical and practical implications of the findings are discussed. © 2011 Blackwell Publishing Ltd.