The sex of the main character was varied in six children's stories, which were then read by fourth, sixth, and eighth graders. The children answered four questions about the stories. Boys preferred stories about males. A preference for stories about females was marginally significant only for the older girls. (Author)

Used written narratives to examine gender and age patterns in body image, emotional expression, and self-esteem for 209 students in grades 5, 8, and 12. Results indicate that boys restrict emotional expression in adolescence, whereas girls increase emotional expression in the same period. Girls also are more influenced by body image. (SLD)

The influence of child age and parent and child gender on parents' attributions and responses to their children's social and academic outcomes was studied with 76 dual-parent families of fifth, eighth, and eleventh graders. Results suggest the complexity of the interactions among these factors. (SLD)

Recent research on sex differences in aggressive styles is reviewed. The concept of indirect aggression in particular is presented and discussed, and it is argued that it is nonsensical to claim that males are more aggressive than females. A theory about development of aggressive behavior styles is presented. (SLD)

Three studies investigated interrelationships among coping styles, gender roles, and level of depression for early adolescents. Girls displayed more depression than boys. More highly depressed girls demonstrated coping patterns similar to those of depressed adolescent and adult women. People who identified with feminine gender roles showed…

Teachers' questionnaire responses were used in developing an instrument designed to measure teachers' knowledge and attitudes concerning sex role stereotyping, and to explore relationships between knowledge and attitudes on sex differences. Results suggested that knowledge of sex differences does not ensure nonsexist attitudes. (Author/MJL)

Diverse adolescents in grades 6-12 completed a demographic profile, the Teen Appreciation Scale, and various other instruments examining their perceptions of peer success. They rated likability, popularity, and attractiveness of vignette subjects in nine domains. Results indicated that female vignette subjects were rated significantly higher than…

This study examines the differences and trends in sex-role stereotypes between the original samples used to construct and reverse the Sex-Role Stereotype Questionnaire (SRSQ) in 1968, and a sample of 173 practicing school counselors to whom the SRSQ was administered in the fall of 1975. (Author/EB)

Over 300 students assessed their causal attributions and expectations for success and failure in mathematics, and their self concepts of math ability. Results varied, depending on research method employed, but did not when taken together support the hypothesis that girls are more learned helpless in mathematics than are boys. (Author/GC)

Interviewed 35 African American parents to explore the gender socialization of their children and examine how race and class shaped parents' gender ideologies and behaviors. Results revealed significant support for teaching children gender role equality, though that support was mediated by social class (educational level) and social mobility…

Results from a questionnaire survey of kindergartners, fifth graders, and eleventh graders indicate that children's occupational stereotyping is diminishing: Stereotyping decreased with age (kindergartners showed significant sex differences); both sexes named a range of occupational goals, but gravitated toward "sex-appropriate" occupations; and…

Cross-national data on 14-year-old children in England, Sweden and the United States are analyzed for sex differences in achievement and attitudes in science and reading. The study identifies school characteristics that are associated with large sex discrepancies. Tables are included. (Author/JLF)

Describes a study which explored the relationship between sex role perceptions of physical educators and their attitudes/expectations regarding female participation and performance in various physical activities. Also examines sex of teachers versus teachers' self-definition of their sex role as a determinant of curriculum objectives valued.…

Examines gender and familial role attitudes of 142 male and 123 female adolescent international students in the Netherlands using the Attitudes Toward Women Scale for Adolescents and Historic-Sociocultural Premises Scale. Females respond less traditionally than males, and students from less wealthy, more collectivist countries have more…

Associations of self-reported self-efficacy (masculinity) and relationality (femininity) are studied for 799 high school students (412 females and 387 males) and 607 fourth graders (300 females and 307 males), 52 of whom are studied again in grade 12. As children move into adolescence, relationality is no longer associated with self-esteem. (SLD)