Gender-role typing among elementary school children

Gender -role typing is the process by which children acquire the values, motives and behaviors viewed as appropriate to either males or females in a specific culture. developmental patterns of gender-typing generally differ for boys and girls. The present study was conducted to know the factors that determine the gender-role typing among (elementary school children. The study sample were 180 children (90 boys and 90 girls) who were selected using purposive stratified random sampling method from three classes (3rd, 4th id 5th grade) and who belonged to three different socio-economic status group (high, middle and low) studying in elementary schools (English and Telugu medium) in Tirupati town. The tools used were socio-economic status scale developed by Singh and Saxena 1993) and an interview schedule specially developed to assessed sex-role typing. Results revealed that there was significant association between gender and choice of preference for a rent and choice of preference for sex appropriate game. Socio-economic status was also found to be associated. As the socio- economic status decreased, liking for sex - appropriate game increased. Significant association was not found between socioeconomic status and choice of preference for a parent. The results help parents and the teacher to understand the factors that influence gender-role typing and help to guide children to follow sex- appropriate roles.