In an exploratory study, we investigated degrees of social proximity between mothers and their 9-month-old children. Twenty-four Swedish mother±infant dyads (12 boys and 12 girls) were observed during a brief free play episode. Social proximity was measured through nine items focusing on both communication and social interaction. Overall, we found that mother±daughter dyads displayed significantly higher degrees of social proximity than mother±son dyads. More specifically, mothers with daughters displayed more physical and visual contact, and were also rated as more sensitive than mothers with sons. It was also found that girls were judged as being more compliant than boys.
This study investigated free play interactions between 20 Swedish mothers and their infants (11 boys and nine girls) at 9 and 14 months of age. Higher degrees of social proximity within mother± daughters dyads were found, as compared to mother± son dyads. Mothers with daughters also displayed more physical contact at 9 months and scored higher on maternal sensitivity at 14 months, as compared to mothers of boys. Higher degrees of social promixity (combined infant and mother scores) were found at 14 months of age, as compared to 9 months. These findings suggest that despite the high level of gender equality promoted in Swedish society, Swedish mothers treat girls differently from boys.
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