Three-year old children raised in an adoptive family by two lesbian mothers show less gendered behavior than do children adopted by two gay fathers or by heterosexual couples. Boys\u2019 behavior is less stereotypically masculine and, to a lesser extent, girls\u2019 behavior is less stereotypically feminine. However, in all types of adoptive families\u2014no matter whether the parents are lesbian, gay, or heterosexual\u2014boys\u2019 behavior becomes more stereotypically masculine between three and six years.<\/p>\n
This research casts light on how children are socialised into gender roles, contributing to an understanding of how boys and girls develop and how they can best be supported to thrive. It also adds to the debate about gender equality and how differences between men and women emerge from early childhood onwards.<\/p>\n
The researchers, Abbie Goldberg<\/a> and Randi Garcia<\/a> at Clark University in the USA, studied 181 adoptive families, 56 lesbian, 48 gay male and 77 heterosexual. They asked parents to rate how their child plays at three points: ages 3, 4 and 6. Parents also answered 24 questions about their children\u2019s toys and activities and how they played (e.g., avoiding getting dirty, participating in rough and tumble).<\/p>\n