Women who date sexist men often become sexist themselves, it has been claimed.

A study led by social psychologist Matthew Hammond from the University of Illinois examined more than 1,000 participants in North America and New Zealand.

The women in the study were given the opportunity to categorize their own sexism and their other half's sexism.

Researchers found that women who were in a relationship with benevolently sexist men (typified by paternal and protective behaviour) actually started to adopt their anti-feminist views

There were two types of sexism used in the study: hostile or benevolent sexism.

Hostile sexism is the belief that women are not equal to men.

Benevolent sexism is harder to spot and men who are guilty of it see women as incompetent beings who need their protection.

It is typified by paternal and protective behaviour, from encouraging smiles to holding doors open.

Researchers found that women who were in a relationship with benevolently sexist men actually started to adopt their anti-feminist views.

Benevolent sexism is harder to spot and men who are guilty of it see women as incompetent beings who need their protection

They claimed that accepting benevolent sexism is 'linked with feeling incompetent, a lack of desire for independent success harsher attitudes toward victims of acquaintance rape and decreased support for societal policies promoting women's workplace advancement.'

In previous research, for example, Mr Hammond found that when male partners exhibited benevolent sexism while helping female partners achieve a goal - in fitness, work, or school - the women felt less competent in their own abilities and less able to achieve their goal.