Describes the sex-related differences in young children's play patterns. Finds that young children interact most closely with their own sex and that boys use more inventiveness and assertiveness in play to gain the more desirable toys. Concludes that play patterns may reinforce sex role stereotypes and contribute to later female underachievement.…

Explores the contribution of participant observation as a research method to the study of childhood. Discusses how participant observation permits a more comprehensive understanding of the process of friendship making than traditional sociometric techniques, and shows that, for the researcher, remembered experiences of participation and…

The adverse effects of socialization through education are discussed. Socialization's impact on nondominant class, race, and (particularly) sex groups are noted, and options for dealing with the problem are presented. (JMF)

A longitudinal study was made of women and their first-born children who have different employment and day care experiences during the child's first three years of life. Specific aims of the study were (1) to gain full account of the history and experience of women who return to full-time employment while their first child is still young and of…

The aim of this study was threefold. First, to investigate the strategies adolescents use to coordinate conflicting social and academic goals in situations where these conflicting goals varied in urgency. Second, to examine the importance of social versus academic goals in such situations, and third, to examine the effects of gender and academic…

Thirty-four pairs of same-sex siblings were observed for two one-hour periods in their homes. The younger siblings averaged 20 months of age and the age interval between siblings was either large (2.5-4 years) or small (1-2 years). (JMB)

Using naturalistic observation, investigates the social behavior, levels of social participation, and sex differences of kindergarten children as they played with blocks. Uses both unit blocks and large, hollow blocks to gain a more complete understanding of the relationship between block play and social development. (DST)

Systematic observations of affiliative interaction in 15 stable peer groups were conducted across three years in an urban day care center. Groups contained 193 French-speaking children ranging in age from one to six years. (Author/RH)

Examined contributions of 4 sex-typed socializations to 6 differences in self-efficacy in l0 male- and l0 female-dominated occupations among male (N=78) and female (N=8l) Japanese undergraduates. Found females in male-dominated occupations had lower self-efficacy, felt they had fewer female role models, considered themselves feminine, and had low…

The influence of age at adoption, ethnic background, sex of adopted child, and social class of adoptive parents on the intellectual, emotional, and social development of adopted children was studied. An intragroup comparison showed that the variables studied had very little relevance. Comparison with a control group showed no significant…

Examines mother-child and father-child play and the relationship between parents' fantasy play initiations and their children's receptive vocabulary skills. The sex of parent effects during play initiations and the influence on children's cooperativeness toward the parent behaviors were tested in a laboratory playroom setting. (DT)

Observed the social communication and task relevant behaviors of 80 kindergarten and first-grade children, each of whom was assigned to do a task with either a friend or a nonfriend. Results showed that friends exhibited less sharing and communicative behaviors and more task relevant behaviors. An explanatory model is suggested to account for…

Discusses the role of school recess periods in children's social development and academic achievement. Also examines changing attitudes toward the use of recess periods in the United States and other nations, and presents strategies for classroom teachers to use in advocating school recess periods in their schools and communities. (MDM)

Interviewed 224 Lebanese children and adolescents using measures of war exposure, mental health symptoms, adaptational outcomes, and posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Found that the number of war traumas experienced by the subject was positively related to PTSD symptoms and that various types of war traumas were differentially related to PTSD,…

The recognition of linguistic stereotypes based on gender and actual speech production were examined in 10 four-year-old and 10 six-year-old children. Eight linguistic forms were presented to the children in two different contexts in a story. After each sentence containing one of the forms, the children were asked whether a boy or girl had spoken,…