Sex role differentiation among young Maltese children

Abstract

Year 3 and Year 6 children's conceptions of behaviour appropriate to the sexes were analyzed through the use of 16 stories and a, questionnaire. The sample consisted of 221 Boys and 194 Girls attending four Maltese Primary State Schools. Each child was subjected to a forced choice and had to indicate whether he/she considered particular activities appropriate for males or females. 7 "Maleness" Indic~~ were computed for each activity according to the following categories: Boys, Girls, Year 3, Year 6 and each of three ability streams. Differences between "Maleness" Indices were tested in order to examine whether Sex, Age and Ability were significant variables in determining children's views of sex-appropriate behaviour. Finally the findings of this study were compared with those of a similar study carried out in the U.K.