A series of tests was designed for 24-, 30-, and 36-month-old children to measure their ability to apply various gender labels to the appropriate sexes, their capacity to place themselves in their own gender category, and their usage of labels to guide preference behavior. Also, the child's awareness of sex role stereotyping and the relationship of the above measures to parental SES and sex role attitudes were examined. In general, unlike the younger children, the oldest children consistently applied gender labels properly, were certain of their own gender, used same-sex gender labels to guide behavior, and were aware of sex role stereotyping. There was no relation between these measures and demographic variables.
A series of tests was designed for 24-, 30-, and 36-month-old children to measure their ability to apply various gender labels to the appropriate sexes, their capacity to place themselves in their own gender category, and their usage of labels to guide preference behavior. Also, the child's awareness of sex role stereotyping and the relationship of the above measures to parental SES and sex role attitudes were examined. In general, unlike the younger children, the oldest children consistently applied gender labels properly, were certain of their own gender, used same-sex gender labels to guide behavior, and were aware of sex role stereotyping. There was no relation between these measures and demographic variables.
The relative importance of cues associated with physical sex characteristics was examined. Realistic plastic dolls were made which allowed presentation of eight different combinations of the male and female sex characteristics of genitals, body type, and hair length. A nude doll was shown to each of 144 4-, 5-, and 6-year-old children and 96 adults. Each subject was randomly assigned to view only one of the eight dolls. Scores were tallied for the subject's dressing and naming of the doll as masculine or feminine. Hair and body type were the most important cues for children in establishing the sex of the doll. Genitals, followed by body type, were the most significant cues for adults. The children's scores were not related to factors such as age, sibling patterns, or absence of a parent in the home.
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