Subscribe
The latest psychology and neuroscience discoveries.
My Account
  • Mental Health
  • Social Psychology
  • Cognitive Science
  • Psychopharmacology
  • Neuroscience
  • About
No Result
View All Result
PsyPost
PsyPost
No Result
View All Result
Home Exclusive Social Psychology

Parents more uncomfortable with gender-nonconforming behaviors in boys, study finds

by Dori Bridges
April 24, 2019
in Social Psychology
(Photo credit: New Africa)

(Photo credit: New Africa)

Share on TwitterShare on Facebook
Stay informed on the latest psychology and neuroscience research—follow PsyPost on LinkedIn for daily updates and insights.

A new study on how parents respond to their gender-nonconforming children reveals more approval of daughters not adhering to societal norms than sons.

The study, published in the journal Psychology of Sexual Orientation and Gender Diversity, reports parents are more comfortable with girls partaking in gender-nonconforming behavior than boys and attempt to change their sons’ behaviors more frequently.

Researchers sought to find the relationship between different characteristics of parents and children and how parents respond to their gender-nonconforming child. In an effort to encourage parents to support youths who do not conform to their assigned gender, researchers hope to educate parents on the benefits of affirming the behaviors.

Past studies have shown that children who do not conform to the boy/girl societal norms often face negative feedback from friends and family. Thus, their psychological health may be adversely affected as they are at a greater risk for symptoms of depression, psychosocial distress, and adult-suicide than their gender-conforming peers.

In the current study, researchers expected to find that fathers, more so than mothers, would be less accepting of sons who are gender-nonconforming than daughters and that gender-nonconformity in general would correspond with parent discomfort. Additionally, those parents who believe their parenting style to be more feminist or socially equal would express more comfortability with a gender-nonconforming child.  As such, researchers aimed to identify characteristics that compel parents to make efforts to change their child’s behavior. Again, the prediction was that parents would be more likely to change boys’ behavior than girls’.

An online survey completed by 151 mothers and 85 fathers living in Salt Lake City, Utah reported on 156 children age 3 to 13. The survey included questions relating to parenting style, parent gender atypical traits, attitude toward gender roles, and the prevalence of their own children’s gender-nonconforming behaviors.

As expected, parents report girls engage in gender-nonconforming behavior more than boys. In accordance with past research, results of the current study reveal parents are more uncomfortable with boys engaging in gender-nonconforming behavior than girls and make attempts to change the behavior more often. Contrary to other research however, this study shows mothers and fathers are equally likely to try and change their sons’ behaviors. Nevertheless, they are okay with their sons having girls as playmates and with daughters playing “boy” games.

Although initially researchers presumed parents’ warmth toward their children would be an indicator of acceptance of gender-nonconforming behavior, the study shows otherwise. Parents who report greater warmth also say they make more attempts to change their child’s behavior if it does not align with societal expectations.

Researchers attribute this result to parents’ belief that intervening in such behavior is a good thing, not a negative reaction. As previous studies have shown, parents are concerned with how the public may view such behavior and believe they are doing more good than harm by attempting to redirect their child to social norms.

A surprising discovery is that parents are more accepting of and comfortable with gender-nonconforming behaviors when their child participates in them more frequently. These parents were found to hold egalitarian principles and adhere to social equality. They also show less psychological control over their children (i.e. if a daughter wants to play football or a son wants a Barbie doll, more power to them!)

It is important to consider that in an effort to increase generalizability, questions on the survey included hypotheticals. The problem is people tend to “over-estimate their likelihood of engaging in a specific behavioral response to the situation” as opposed to reporting normal reactions that occur in real-life.

Another limitation of the study is the sample of participants is representative only of the population in Salt Lake City which is predominantly Mormon, and may adhere to more traditional values. Additionally, it is a considerably small sample obtained through a pediatric office and would require a much larger and racially diverse sample to better represent the country as a whole. Researchers also realize the limited perspective of the study, relying solely on parents’ reports. Future studies may want to consider reports from the children as well.

Still, parents of children who engage in gender-nonconforming behavior may gain insight and awareness from the current study. Parents who are hoping to change their child’s behavior might want to consider the possible implications of psychosocial distress being placed on their child.

Furthermore, parents can take into consideration the greater amount of societal pressure for ‘boys to be boys’ than for ‘girls to be girls’ and that mothers and fathers alike hold boys to a higher standard in this area. Although some parents may see changing the behavior as positive intervention, is it really fair that it is more socially acceptable for girls to behave as boys than vice versa? Acceptance can be the beginning to change. As our world is ever-changing, perhaps future studies will show progression toward social equality.

The study, “Parent responses to childhood gender nonconformity: Effects of parent and child characteristics“, was authored by Leigh A. Spivey, David M. Huebner, and Lisa M. Diamond.

TweetSendScanShareSendPin6ShareShareShareShareShare

RELATED

Bullshit is deemed more credible if attributed to a scientist, compared to a spiritual guru
Social Psychology

Scientists who relocate more often start Nobel research up to two years earlier

July 8, 2025

A new study of Nobel Prize winners suggests that scientists who change locations or work in multiple places tend to begin their groundbreaking research earlier, highlighting how exposure to diverse environments may help spark innovative, high-impact ideas.

Read moreDetails
The most popular dementia videos on TikTok tend to have the lowest quality, study find
Addiction

People with short-video addiction show altered brain responses during decision-making

July 8, 2025

People who frequently use short-video apps like TikTok may show reduced loss sensitivity and impulsive decision-making, according to a new neuroimaging study that links addictive use patterns to changes in brain activity during risky choices.

Read moreDetails
People with psychopathic traits fail to learn from painful outcomes
Narcissism

National narcissism linked to emotional impairments and dehumanization, new study finds

July 7, 2025

A new study suggests that people who see their nation as uniquely important often struggle with recognizing emotions and experience more anger and contempt—factors that may help explain why they’re more likely to dehumanize both outsiders and fellow citizens.

Read moreDetails
Anxious and avoidant attachment are elevated among individuals with eating disorders
Developmental Psychology

Personality may be a key factor connecting negative parenting experiences to adult challenges

July 7, 2025

New research finds a link between how adults recall being parented and their current life difficulties. These challenges may be partly explained by personality traits, such as lower conscientiousness, that are connected to early family environments and adult well-being.

Read moreDetails
Loneliness predicts an increase in TV viewing for older women, but not for men
Sexism

New study finds link between sexism and denial of male victimhood in relationships

July 6, 2025

New research shows that many people endorse myths that minimize abuse against men in relationships. These myths are closely tied to sexist attitudes about masculinity, gender roles, and who is believed to be a “real” victim of violence.

Read moreDetails
Fascinating study reveals how Trump’s moral rhetoric diverges from common Republican language
Donald Trump

Viral AI-images highlight how Trump engages in “victimcould,” scholar argues

July 6, 2025

How can one of the world's most powerful men also be its biggest victim? A new paper argues it’s a political strategy based on hypothetical, not actual, harm—a concept the author calls “victimcould” used to justify present-day aggression.

Read moreDetails
Stress disrupts gut and brain barriers by reducing key microbial metabolites, study finds
Narcissism

How to protect your mental health from a passive-aggressive narcissist

July 5, 2025

Passive aggression is more than just frustrating; it’s a weapon. When someone consistently uses backhanded compliments, sabotage, or the silent treatment, you may be dealing with a narcissist. Here’s how to spot the signs and protect your mental wellbeing.

Read moreDetails
Stress disrupts gut and brain barriers by reducing key microbial metabolites, study finds
Artificial Intelligence

Dark personality traits linked to generative AI use among art students

July 5, 2025

As generative AI tools become staples in art education, a new study uncovers who misuses them most. Research on Chinese art students connects "dark traits" like psychopathy to academic dishonesty, negative thinking, and a heavier reliance on AI technologies.

Read moreDetails

SUBSCRIBE

Go Ad-Free! Click here to subscribe to PsyPost and support independent science journalism!

STAY CONNECTED

LATEST

Can sunshine make you happier? A massive study offers a surprising answer

New study links why people use pornography to day-to-day couple behavior

Virtual reality meditation eases caregiver anxiety during pediatric hospital stays, with stronger benefits for Spanish speakers

Fascinating new advances in psychedelic science reveal how they may heal the mind

Dysfunction within the sensory processing cortex of the brain is associated with insomnia, study finds

Prenatal exposure to “forever chemicals” linked to autistic traits in children, study finds

Ketamine repairs reward circuitry to reverse stress-induced anhedonia

Neuroscientists decode how people juggle multiple items in working memory

         
       
  • Contact us
  • Privacy policy
  • Terms and Conditions
[Do not sell my information]

Welcome Back!

Login to your account below

Forgotten Password?

Retrieve your password

Please enter your username or email address to reset your password.

Log In

Add New Playlist

Subscribe
  • My Account
  • Cognitive Science Research
  • Mental Health Research
  • Social Psychology Research
  • Drug Research
  • Relationship Research
  • About PsyPost
  • Contact
  • Privacy Policy