Engagement with gender atypical peers : an investigation of tolerance, gender attitudes and school ethos

Authors

Knox, Paul

Issue Date

2014

Degree

Higher Diploma in Arts in Psychology

Publisher

Dublin Business School

Rights

Items in Esource are protected by copyright. Previously published items are made available in accordance with the copyright policy of the publisher/copyright holder.

Abstract

Friendship is a crucial element to the healthy psychosocial development of children. Research has illustrated the negative attitudes and stressors gender atypical children can encounter due to displaying gender non-normative behaviour. Consequently the levels of engagement of boys with gender atypical peer’s demands closer attention. Current research into the peer friendships of boys suggests stereotypes have a strong negative effect on gender atypical peers. A cross-sectional study was carried out with participant boys across two school types (Educate Together and Catholic schools). Two vignettes were presented in order to assess willingness to engage with gender typical and atypical peers. Results showed a significant difference between participants willingness to engage with a gender typical peer over an atypical peer. Participant responses were constant across both school types, suggesting primary school ethos does not play a significant altering role in levels of willingness to engage with gender atypical peers, but are mediated by other factors. Author keywords: Gender, ethos, gender attitudes

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