Socialization of girls: Issues of ethnicity in gender development.

Abstract

Socialization is the process through which children acquire the behavior considered appropriate by the groups to which they relate (i.e., their family, community, and the larger society). Researchers who focus on the psychology of women have been particularly interested in illuminating this process with respect to gender. They have noted that girls, as well as boys, are expected to develop attitudes and behaviors that fit societal norms for their gender designation; that parents, teachers, and other societal agents foster gender-typed behavior; and that children themselves adopt genderstereotypic characteristics at very early ages (Ruble, 1988).Despite considerable research in recent years on the topic of socialization and gender, major questions remain unanswered regarding the psychological assumptions underlying these investigations. For example, What are the actual gender-type beliefs of a changing society? How strong a consensus is there among the various segments of society regarding appropriate gender behavior as it pertains to girls? To what extent do the bio-93

Analysis of the Children?s Personal Attributes Questionnaire (Short Form) with a Sample of African American Adolescents

“…The results of the current study indicate that assessing the gender identities of African American adolescents along the interpersonal, independent, and leadership dimensions may be a more valid approach, which is congruent with a multidimensional conception of gender identity. It is interesting that these findings dispute the suggestion that there may be bias inherent to measures of gender identity that were normed on European Americans but used with youth of different ethnicities (e.g., Reid et al, 1995).…”

“…A dearth of literature exists to address gender identity issues among African American children and adolescents (Reid, Haritos, Kelly, & Holland, 1995). Although one of the most common methodologies for examining gender identity in older children and adolescents is self-report, the instruments commonly utilized have not been normed on African American samples (e.g., Children's Sex Role Inventory).…”

“…Although one of the most common methodologies for examining gender identity in older children and adolescents is self-report, the instruments commonly utilized have not been normed on African American samples (e.g., Children's Sex Role Inventory). Despite the urging of researchers to establish empirically whether measures developed with European American populations can be applied to People of Color (e.g., Jones, 1996;Padilla & Medina, 1996;Reid et al, 1995), few studies have been published that address this longstanding problem.…”

Multicultural and Gender Influences in Women's Career Development: An Ecological Perspective

“…Unfortunately, few studies have examined the strengths that women of color bring to the work environment, for example, a mother's acceptance of her daughter's working outside of the home and high career aspirations for her (e.g., Reid et al, 1995;Turner, 1997). This omission may be another reflection of unconscious racism, in which those not fitting the implicit standards of Whiteness are imagined only to suffer as a consequence.…”

“…For example, in a study that compared schools with male and female principals, children were more likely to think that both men and women could be principals when their school had a female principal (Paradise & Wall, 1986). Career stereotypes and aspirations for women may vary according to race, ethnicity, and social class depending on the role models available and expectations for success held by family members (Reid, Haritos, Kelly, & Holland, 1995). adolescence As children enter adolescence, they develop a sense of identity and question where they fit in the occupational world.…”