RACE AND SEX AS FACTORS IN CHILDRENS SOCIOMETRIC RATINGS AND FRIENDSHIP CHOICES

This research provides a comprehensive analysis of the association of race and sex to children's peer relationships by assessing: a) the ass ociation of both race and sex; b) multiple measures of peer relationsh ips (socionmetric ratings and friendships); and c) an entire elementar y school (Grades 1 to 6) with nearly an even number of African-America n to European-American children in each class. Regardless of age, race , or sex, and for both relationship measures, children showed a greate r bias favoring same-sex peers than same-race peers. Although older Af rican-American children had more same-race than cross-race mutual frie nds, African-American children were more accepting of European-America n children than the reverse. Despite some same-race preferences, cross -race evaluations were generally quite positive on both measures. The differential impact of sex and race as considerations for peer evaluat ions is discussed.