While the world strives for greater gender equality, disparities and stereotypes persist between men and women in terms of labour force participation, wages, and domestic roles. Research evidence suggests that young women still expect to serve as the primary caregiver to their future families and to perform most of the housework. This research aims to: (a) investigate differences in the gender role expectations of male and female Emiratis and (b) identify some of the factors that influence these expectations. The research contributes to the literature on gender equality in an under-researched context, the Middle East, where research on gender issues is still very scarce. It also contributes to extant literature on goal congruity and future gender expectations by examining how the life goals of males and females are influenced by gender role self-concepts and how these life goals in turn influence their expectations for their future lives. The study adopts a ‘possible selves’ and ‘future selves’ framework and draws on a student sample (N=435) of male and female Emiratis. A number of mediation path models for each outcome of interest are tested. The analysis tests for both direct and indirect effects of gender on future expectations via life goals (achievement, work satisfaction, and work life balance/family relationships). The results reveal that traditional roles are still prevalent in the UAE, where women see themselves as primarily responsible for family, even if they expect to engage in the workforce. The findings also suggest that support from males for labour force participation among females does not extend to an expectation for a more equal distribution of domestic labour and childcare support. The implications of these findings for both future research and for the future of the equality agenda in this context are considered.