Gender-specific macro- and micro-level processes in the transmission of gender role orientation in adolescence: The role of fathers

Abstract

Family represents a primary environment for the development and transmission of gender role orientation (GRO) in adolescence. Nonetheless, longitudinal approaches delineating the separate influences of fathers and mothers, including all possible same- and cross-sex parent–child dyads within one family are lacking. This article elucidates the process of adolescent gender role socialization in 244 German families (father, mother, son and daughter) utilizing a longitudinal design (two measurement points over 5 years). Direct transmission paths of GRO and gender-specific parenting (GSP) as a mediator were analysed focusing on fathers' contributions. In addition, the impact of parental workplace autonomy and socio-economic status on intra-familial socialization of GRO was examined. Results indicate that fathers and mothers play at least an equally important role in the transmission of gender role beliefs. A mediating effect of GSP was only evident when considering father–child dyads. Based on social cognitive and developmental systems approaches, the findings are discussed considering adolescents embedded within the family context.

Keywords::

• Gender role orientation
• Transmission
• Adolescence
• Fathers
• Socialization

Acknowledgements

We want to explicitly thank the Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG) for supporting this project as well as our valued colleagues Hans Merkens, Poldi Kuhl, Tina Kretschmer and Susanne Bergann.

Notes

¹ In order to be allowed to participate, the father and mother had to live with the participating adolescents but were not required to be a biological parent.