Paternal absence and sex-role development: a meta-analysis.
A meta-analysis was based on every available study that has compared father-present and father-absent children on a measure of sex typing. 67 studies produced 222 estimates of effect size. Owing to the inappropriateness of conventional statistics, Hedges's approach to meta-analysis was employed. Results show that published studies produced larger estimates of effect size than dissertations and conference papers. Effect-size estimates based on clinical and incarcerated samples were significantly different from those based on more typical samples. Generalizable differences between father-present and father-absent females were conspicuously absent. Preschool father-absent boys were shown to make less stereotypical choices of toys and activities when compared to father-present age-mates. When compared to father-present boys, older father-absent boys were more stereotypical in their overt behavior, particularly in terms of aggression. Discussion focused on interpretation of the results within a multidimensional conception of sex role.
Stevenson
M R
MR
Department of Psychological Science, Ball State University, Muncie, IN 47306.
Black
K N
KN
D000293:Adolescent; D001741:Black or African American / Q000523:psychology; D000367:Age Factors; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D005260:Female; D005783:Gender Identity; D006801:Humans; D007062:Identification, Psychological; D007223:Infant; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D008297:Male; D010333:Paternal Deprivation; D012923:Social Class