Podcast Summary

Podcast: Más de uno

Host: Carlos Alsina (Onda Cero)
Guest: Ignacio Urquizu (Sociologist)
Episode: Los datos de Ignacio Urquizu que revelan que en "situaciones concretas no somos tan feministas": "Para reformar la casa, el 50% prefiere un hombre"
Date: December 11, 2025

Episode Overview

This episode centers on an in-depth discussion about the state of public opinion on feminism in Spain, focusing on the tensions and contradictions between self-declared feminist values and everyday preferences or behaviors. Sociologist Ignacio Urquizu presents illuminating survey data on perceptions of machismo, gender equality, and the political evolution of feminism, particularly in light of recent sexual harassment scandals affecting the Spanish Socialist Workers’ Party (PSOE). The conversation navigates both the sociological data and the political fallout of these developments.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. General Public Opinion on Feminism in Spain

• Broad Support for Gender Equality:
  • 77% of Spaniards believe women have a harder life than men.
  • 75% see prevailing machista attitudes in society.
  • Overwhelming consensus (99%) that women can hold any position, and 96% think gender equality would result in a fairer society. ([01:00]-[01:45])
• Political Polarization:
  • While the general public agrees broadly, belief in widespread machismo is strongest among left-leaning voters. PP and Vox voters are less likely to perceive machismo as pervasive. ([01:45]-[02:30])

2. Hypocrisy and Contradictions in Daily Choices

• Professions and Gender Preferences:
  • For jobs like police, medical surgery, or taxi drivers, most Spaniards express no gender bias.
  • However, close to 50% would prefer a male for home repairs or renovations, and likewise, nearly 50% prefer a woman for caregiving roles. ([02:44]-[03:20])
  • Memorable Quote:
    • Urquizu: "Aunque nos declaramos feministas, luego cuando empezamos a hacernos preguntas un poco más concretas ya no somos tan feministas, o por lo menos la gente tiene a veces." ([03:20])
• Generational Gaps:
  • Surprisingly, young people exhibit the same professional gendering as older generations, indicating these biases are deeply embedded in Spanish culture rather than generational. ([04:20])

3. Perception of Machismo in Society

• Where Is Machismo Detected?
  • 63%: Big companies
  • 56%: Political parties
  • 48%: Media
  • 47%: Government
  • Only 23% see machismo in their immediate surroundings. ([04:46])
• Political Divide:
  • Leftist voters are more likely than rightists to see machismo in their surroundings and institutions.

4. Unity and Politicization of Feminism

• Feminism Is Seen as Divided:
  • 74% perceive the feminist movement as fragmented (up from 66% the previous year).
  • Perceived politicization has decreased slightly (61% → 56%) but is most noted by conservative voters. ([05:46]-[07:00])
• Political Party Support:
  • In 2023, Podemos was seen as the leading party on gender equality (28%), but now 34% say no party represents feminism, indicating a lack of political home for the movement.
  • "Hoy en estos momentos el 34% cree que ninguno. Es decir que ahora mismo el feminismo se siente en cierta forma huérfano de partido." — Urquizu ([07:00])

5. Identity Politics and the Expansion of Feminism

• Division Over Inclusion of Other Identities:
  • 54% do not support including trans issues under the feminism umbrella; only Podemos voters are in favor.
  • Majority also opposes inclusion of LGBTQ issues within feminism, across most political groups. ([07:41])
  • Memorable Quote:
    • Urquizu: "Incluso el 53% de los votantes del PSOE tampoco estaba de acuerdo en aquellos años." ([08:32])
• Perceived Poor Management:
  • Under Podemos’ leadership of the Ministry of Equality, 60% rated the ministry’s work poorly.

6. Division Over Feminist Laws and Movements

• Ley 'Solo Sí es Sí':
  • Public is split: 48% say it strengthened women’s rights, 47% disagree.
  • Increasing division complicates the ability of left-wing parties to claim the feminist mantle. ([08:54]-[09:35])

7. Current Political Crisis: Harassment and Fallout for PSOE

• Scandal Fallout:
  • Recent sexual harassment cases within the PSOE have paralyzed party leadership and may herald more accusations.
  • The party is criticized for secrecy and minimizing or denying responsibility, which undermines feminist credibility.
  • Alsina: "La respuesta que se ha dado, lejos de ser la que se espera de un partido que con convicción cree que hay que perseguir el acoso... es taparlo, diferirlo, ponerlo en duda." ([14:49])
• Impact on Voter Support:
  • In 2023, PSOE won the female vote by a 500,000-vote margin; that lead has evaporated.
  • Intention to vote PSOE among women dropped from 32% to 16% during the current legislature, with two major drops coinciding with scandals. ([20:13]-[22:05])
  • Urquizu: "Nunca un partido había bajado tanto en tan poco tiempo... esta de 10 puntos es inédita y nunca un partido había bajado tanto en tan poco tiempo." ([22:05])

8. Responsibility and Political Cynicism

• Superficial Solutions:
  • The panel is critical of mere party expulsions as “washing hands” of the problem.
  • Panelist: "Con entrega del carné no se entrega la responsabilidad ni se lava uno las manos. Tampoco el partido y la inacción." ([23:33])
• Structural Problems:
  • The panel recognizes sexual harassment as a structural issue, but denounces inaction from those responsible for legislating change.
  • Panelist: "Lo que no debería serlo es que quien está legislando para que eso no pase sea el que no hace nada." ([24:17])
• Scandals Overlap:
  • Corruption and harassment combine to erode PSOE’s trustworthiness and feminist credibility.

9. Crisis of Feminist Political Representation

• Lack of a Political Flag-Bearer:
  • Internal criticism in PSOE and perceived isolation of Sánchez point to deeper problems for left-wing feminist politics in Spain. ([25:00]-[26:01])
• Memorable Closing Moment:
  • Alsina: (re: political weariness with scandals) “Bueno, pues tendremos que seguir gobernando, que no es obligatorio, se pueden convocar elecciones, no pasa nada.” ([26:41])

Notable Quotes & Timestamps

• Ignacio Urquizu:

  • “Aunque nos declaramos feministas, luego cuando empezamos a hacernos preguntas un poco más concretas ya no somos tan feministas…” ([03:20])
  • "La mayoría sociedad española sí que cree que todo el mundo tiene que poder estar en la manifestación, piense como piense, sea de lo que piense." ([13:53])
  • "Hoy en estos momentos el 34% cree que ninguno. Es decir que ahora mismo el feminismo se siente en cierta forma huérfano de partido." ([07:00])
  • "Nunca un partido había bajado tanto en tan poco tiempo... esta de 10 puntos es inédita." ([22:05])

• Carlos Alsina:

  • "La respuesta que se ha dado... es taparlo, diferirlo, ponerlo en duda." ([14:49])
  • “Bueno, pues tendremos que seguir gobernando, que no es obligatorio, se pueden convocar elecciones, no pasa nada.” ([26:41])

• Panelist:

  • "Con entrega del carné no se entrega la responsabilidad ni se lava uno las manos. Tampoco el partido y la inacción." ([23:33])
  • “Lo que no debería serlo es que quien está legislando para que eso no pase, sea el que no hace nada.” ([24:17])

Timestamps for Key Segments

• [00:00] - [02:30]: Introduction to public opinion data on feminism
• [02:30] - [04:20]: Gender preferences in professions; revealing social contradictions
• [04:46] - [07:00]: Where Spaniards see machismo; perceptions of the feminist movement’s division, politicization
• [07:41] - [09:35]: Inclusion of other identities in feminism; public opinion on identitarian politics
• [14:49] - [20:13]: Scandals in PSOE, party crisis management, internal critiques
• [20:13] - [22:05]: Electoral impact of the scandals; steep drop in female support for PSOE
• [22:05] - [24:22]: Analysis on structural vs. political failures regarding harassment
• [25:00] - [26:41]: Political consequences, leadership crises, closing thoughts

Final Thoughts

This episode provides a rich and nuanced view of Spanish feminism in 2025: a movement still widely endorsed in principle but fractured over identity politics and exposed as fragile by recent political scandals. The gap between declared beliefs and everyday biases, together with a decline in feminist political leadership and real action on harassment, exposes the ongoing challenges for Spain’s quest for equality. The tone is sharp, sometimes sardonic, but always rigorously focused on the intersection of public opinion, politics, and gender justice.