Abstract
[Sex-Typing and Sex-Role Identity in Play and Games Preference in 7, 9, and 11 Year Old Children]
In this article, a study is reported that replicates as well as extends earlier research by Rosenberg and Sutton-Smith (1959). Their ‘play and games list’ was adapted and presented to 7, 9, and 11 year old Dutch boys and girls. Besides sex-typed items, neutral or not-sex-typed items were analyzed.
As it turned out, the play and games preference could, at each age level, not be characterized by the sex-typed items Sex-role identity was found to play a different role in both sexes not only when neutral but also when cross-sex choices are concerned; age-changes were also observed These results are discussed in the context of the development of ‘sex-typing’, and further data are presented with respect to the reasons for particular play and game choices (knowledge and/or motivation).