SONS VERSUS DAUGHTERS - SEX COMPOSITION OF CHILDREN AND MATERNAL VIEWS ON SOCIALIZATION

This study argues for the incorporation of sex composition of offsprin g in the study of parental values and attitudes. Using a sample of mot hers of pre-school aged children residing in two cities in Indiana, we examine the consequences of sex composition on two important parental views on socialization. We find that as the relative number of sons v ersus daughters increases, mothers believe ''children always suffer wh en both parents work outside of the home'' and ''the most important th ing for children to learn is to obey their parents.'' These findings s uggest that generalized views on parenting are developed through mater nal experiences in the family and, in turn, these experiences are shap ed by the sex composition of progeny.