Children in Grades 2 through 5 from Korea, Japan, and the United States reported on their interests and perceived competence in a variety of academically and socially related domains and indicated their views on gender advantages in areas of interest. Comparisons by country, gender, and age were conducted. Children made many similar responses across countries. Predicted differences suggesting greater academic interests and perceived competence among children from Korea and Japan and social interests among children from Japan were only partially supported. In many cases, the responses of American and Korean children were most alike. American children generally had the highest perceived competence. Interest in words and numbers but not ideas declined with age across countries. Gender differences were common and often stronger than differences between countries or ages. Across countries, boys showed more interest and perceived competence for numbers and things, whereas girls showed more interest and perceived competence for words.
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