Girls Who Perceive Themselves as Competent Some Antecedents and Correlates

Abstract

The self‐perceptions of competence of white, middle‐class fifth‐ and tenth‐grade girls were examined in relation to (a) certain maternal variables and (b) self‐esteem and anticipated role pattern (career aspirations and desired family size). Subjects were 79 fifth‐graders and 51 of their mothers, and 49 tenth‐graders and 38 of their mothers. Self‐perceptions of competence were measured by an adaptation of the Rosenkrantz Sex‐Role Questionnaire. Specific maternal variables were: mothers' self‐perceptions of competence, maternal child‐rearing values, and maternal employment. In the results, girls who had high self‐perceptions of competence had mothers whose own self‐perceptions were high; their mothers placed significantly more value on traits related to independence, assertiveness, and achievement. There were no effects of maternal employment. Other findings were: there was a positive relationship of self‐esteem and self‐perceptions of competence (significant only for tenth‐graders); and high‐competence girls had higher career aspirations and desired fewer children.

Personality Growth of Female Early College Entrants: A Controlled, Prospective Study

“…Despite considerable interest in the factors that motivate or discourage high achievement in young women, there is very little research on the effects of acceleration for high ability females (Baruch, 1976;Callahan, 1979;Eccles, 1985;Hollinger & Fleming, 1984). The findings of this study suggest that programs such as this one can serve the interests of young females well, although the specific influence of an all-femaie learning environment is not established.…”

“…femi,:in;ty!masculinity, and achievement via independence indicate greater personality growth in areas which are associated with greater achievement. greater achievement motivation, and a stronger career orientation among females (Baruch, 1976;Holiinger & Fleming, 1984;Steriker & Johnson, 1977;T insley & Faunce, 1980;Ridgeway & Jacobson, 1979).…”

Perceived Competence and Parent-Adolescent Communication in High Ability Adolescent Females

“…Studies of global self-esteem have consistently reported more positive self-concepts and higher levels of self-esteem among career-oriented versus home-oriented women (Bach-' told, 1976;Bachtold & Werner, 1970, Baruch, 1976. Also, greater self-esteem is associated with stronger career orientation among adolescents (Ridgeway &' Jacobson, 1979), self-esteem is strongly related to achievement motivation in college age females (Steriker & Johnson, 1977), and high levels of self-esteem are particularly characteristic of women in male-oriented professions (Tinsley and Faunce, 1980).…”

Predictors of Self-Esteem

“…Research in this area has been inconclusive. Positive correlations between mothers' selfesteem and that of their children was found by Tocco and Bridges (1973) for kindergarteners and first graders and by Baruch (1976) for 5th-and 10thgrade girls. In contrast, Edell and Motta (1989) did not find a relationship between the self-concepts of mothers and their children in a study on children With Tourette Syndrome and nondisabled children.…”