Are Children Communicated with Equally? An Investigation of Parent–Child Sex Composition and Gender Role Communication Differences

Abstract

Parents play a pivotal role in the gender development and sex-typing of children. It is important to discover whether gender role communication differences exist based on the sex of the child or parent. The present study aimed to discover differences in gender role messages communicated between mother-daughter, mother-son, father-daughter, and father-son dyads. Participants (n = 630) completed a modified version of Bem's Sex Role Inventory. Two key results were discovered: mothers communicate significantly more feminine messages to children, regardless of child sex; and the modified BSRI identifies respondents as weak vs. strong gender identity rather than masculine, feminine, androgynous, or undifferentiated.

Keywords:

• Gender
• Gender Identity
• Gender Role Messages
• Parent-Child Gender Communication

Notes

^abc Like letters indicate a significant difference at p < .05.

Additional information

Notes on contributors

Sean M. Horan

Sean M. Horan (M.A., Texas State University, 2005) is a doctoral student at West Virginia University.

Marian L. Houser

Marian L. Houser (Ph.D., University of Tennessee) is an Assistant Professor at Texas State University-San Marcos.

Renee L. Cowan

Renee L. Cowan (M.A., Texas State University, 2005) is a doctoral student at Texas A&M University.