DEVELOPMENTAL ASPECTS OF GENDER-ROLE FLEXIBILITY AND TRADITIONALITY IN MIDDLE CHILDHOOD AND ADOLESCENCE

This study (a) explored developmental patterns of gender traditionalit y and flexibility in 479 Ss across middle childhood and early and late adolescence and (b) assessed the correlates of gender flexibility at these 3 developmental periods. Gender flexibility was differentiated i nto 2 dependent variables: self-related and tolerance toward flexibili ty in others. Varying theoretical developmental trends have been posit ed with regard to gender flexibility, but relationships obtained betwe en age and gender flexibility were mostly positive. Several negative r elationships, however, underscored the complexity of gender-related re sponses. Most variables assessed contributed significantly and cumulat ively to the prediction of gender flexibility; socialization variables proved to be the strongest predictors at all 3 developmental levels.