ABSTRACT
This refers to the categorization of people, their appearance or behavior, according to expectations and perceptions of what is considered typical of each SEX. The expectations are frequently, perhaps always, based on a particular kind of STEREOTYPE. Much research has strongly advanced the idea that, while there is
nothing inherent or natural about boys opting for robust and aggressive pursuits and girls favoring reflective and nurturing pastimes, they are still regarded as such. For example, some activities, such as collision or combat sports, are seen as ‘‘masculine,’’ while reading and playing with dolls are still regarded as ‘‘feminine.’’ Sex typing affects the entire SOCIALIZATION of children, so that, by
the time they reach adolescence, they are likely to engage in sextyped behavior and experience this as ‘‘natural.’’ But this is changing, as the research of Susan McHale et al. indicates. The researchers studied the sex typing of children and teenagers, noting particularly how it affects adolescents much more than children and how males are more susceptible to sex-typed activities than females. The study reinforced the conclusion of earlier work, that children’s schemas about sex-appropriate activities affect their choices but, crucially, that ‘‘the role of contextual forces in affording opportunities and setting constraints on children’s daily activities’’ is pivotal. Perhaps the most revealing finding of the McHale et al. study was
the resistance of young women to sex-typed roles and their preparedness to spend time in ‘‘masculine activities.’’ The study, which was published in 2004, deviated from earlier research, especially in highlighting the degree to which young women engaged in ‘‘counterstereotypical activities.’’ The research combines interestingly with a study of the masculine-
dominated culture of French soccer by Genevie`ve Coulomb et al. Female players committed fewer aggressive infringements than their male counterparts, yet were penalized more by male referees. ‘‘GENDER stereotypes could be relevant explanations for such results,’’ concluded the researchers.
