title: Theoretical bases for research on the acquisition of social sex-roles by children of lesbian mothers.
abstract: The present study, which examines the socialization effects of lesbian mothers upon their children, begins with a discussion of the classification and measurement of sex-typed behaviors. Theories from developmental, behavioral, and social psychology are applied, in order to distinguish between the acquisition of sex-typed behaviors and the actual performance of those behaviors. The conditions affecting the modeling process are also discussed. Lesbian lifestyles and values are explored through a review of several descriptive studies of lesbian mothers. Finally, an application of theoretical models is presented to determine the socialization effects on the children. A theoretical base is provided for suggested experimental research.
mesh_terms: D002652:Child Behavior; D005260:Female; D005783:Gender Identity; D006716:Homosexuality; D006801:Humans; D007062:Identification, Psychological; D007100:Imitative Behavior; D009034:Mother-Child Relations; D009035:Mothers / Q000523:psychology; D010988:Play and Playthings; D012951:Socialization