SEX OF INFANT DIFFERENCES IN MOTHER-INFANT INTERACTION - A REINTERPRETATION OF PAST FINDINGS

Since 1967 a number of studies have reported sex of infant differences in mother-infant interaction. The nature and consistency of these dif ferences is described and past interpretations are reviewed. An altern ative interpretation is offered drawing on evidence which suggests tha t mothers of male infants may be more dominant in personality than mot hers of female infants. The evidence from three separate and independe nt sources is briefly presented. These sources are animal studies, stu dies of personality in pregnant women, and work by epidemiologists and ethologists on sex ratio data. The implications of this biological do minance hypothesis are described, problems outlined, and suggestions g iven for further research. (C) 1994 Academic Press, Inc.