DEVELOPMENTAL ASPECTS OF GENDER-ROLE FLEXIBILITY AND TRADITIONALITY IN MIDDLE CHILDHOOD AND ADOLESCENCE

This study (a) explored developmental patterns of gender traditionality and flexibility in 479 Ss across middle childhood and early and late adolescence and (b) assessed the correlates of gender flexibility at these 3 developmental periods. Gender flexibility was differentiated into 2 dependent variables: self-related and tolerance toward flexibility in others. Varying theoretical developmental trends have been posited with regard to gender flexibility, but relationships obtained between age and gender flexibility were mostly positive. Several negative relationships, however, underscored the complexity of gender-related responses. Most variables assessed contributed significantly and cumulatively to the prediction of gender flexibility; socialization variables proved to be the strongest predictors at all 3 developmental levels.