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Self‐Concept And Sex‐Role Learning Among Preschool Children
Author(s) -
Sugawara Alan,
Andrews David,
Adduci Virginia,
Cate Rodney
Publication year - 1986
Publication title -
home economics research journal
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.372
H-Index - 31
eISSN - 1552-3934
pISSN - 0046-7774
DOI - 10.1177/1077727x8601500203
Subject(s) - preference , socialization , psychology , developmental psychology , trait , computer science , microeconomics , economics , programming language
The present study examined how aspects of sex‐role learning account for differ ences in self‐concept among preschool children. Sex‐role learning was opera tionalized as sex‐role discrimination, sex‐role preference (e.g., adult activity pref erence and child activity preference), and sex‐trait awareness. Subjects were 32 boys and 32 girls, ranging in age from three to five years, from intact middle‐ and upper‐middle‐class families. Results revealed that children with more stereotypic child activity preferences had significantly higher (more positive) self‐concepts than children with less stereotypic child activity preferences. On the other hand, children who were less aware of the sex‐trait stereotypes had significantly higher self‐concepts than children who were more aware of the stereotypes. Findings were interpreted from two alternative perspectives: (a) the role of sex‐role atti tudes and knowledge in accounting for differences in children's self‐concept, and (b) the sex role socialization experience of young children during early child hood.