A Comparison of Middle Class English-Canadian and Italian Mothers’ Beliefs about Children’s Peer-directed Aggression and Social Withdrawal

Abstract

Middle class mothers of 7-year-olds in Canada and Italy were presented hypothetical scenarios depicting children being aggressive or socially withdrawn. The mothers were asked to indicate how they thought the behaviour was caused, how they would feel if their child displayed it, and what socialisation strategies they would use in reacting to it. Most mothers in both countries indicated that they would resort to moderate to high levels of power assertion in response to children’s aggressive behaviour and responses of low to moderate power in cases of children’s social withdrawal. The Canadian mothers indicated that they would experience generally stronger emotional responses with regard to both types of problematic social behaviour in children. Italian mothers indicated that they would use lower levels of power in response to social withdrawal of girls than boys. These results are considered in the light of known differences in value placed on individual initiative between the two countries, and national differences in gender role expectations.