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Abstract

The present study, utilizing a modified version of the It Scale for Children, investigated sex-role preferences of 10 boys and 10 girls each in Grades 1, 3, and 5 from a rural community in the eastern United States. Boys showed a stronger preference for masculine toys and activities than girls for feminine ones. Girls' scores were significantly greater in variability which may suggest greater variability and latitude allowed females in this society in adopting or prefering masculine activities, toys, and roles. It may also imply that sex-appropriate behaviors may be more narrowly defined for males than females. The masculine role may be perceived as one of higher status, encouraging boys to maintain sex-appropriate behavior while influencing girls to adopt some masculine traits. A test for the equality of two proportions shows there is no significant difference between the percentages in the present analysis and in Brown's (1957) study. The sociocultural environment and lifestyle of a small rural community may be more consistent and traditional in defining and maintaining traditional sex-role stereotypes. Also discussed is the need to socialize children in an androgynous fashion.

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Sex-Role Preferences among Elementary School Children in Rural America

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