Martin, C.L and Fabes. R.A.: The Stability and Consequences of Young Children's Same-Sex Peer Interactions" Developmental Psychology, vol. 37, no 3, pp 431-446 2001
To establish how young children's choices of playmates are influenced by behavior and whether such choices remain stable over a period of time, and whether such choices are sex-differentiated. The purpose is also to try to establish some norms as to same-sex partner choices versus opposite-sex selection of playmates. The key is to discover whether there is stability in sex-segregation.
Establishing the play preferences showed that boys prefer play in public places with less proximity to adult supervision. Boys' play tends to be rougher and more physical than girls. Observations showed that same-sex play produces seeming "sub-cultures" among girls as well as among boys.
Observations were made over a 6.5 month period and included observations of everyday activities over this time period. The fall and then the spring semesters were used for these observations. The variables in these two terms were assessed to recognize any change in behavior patterns, given the play and playmate selection process in the earlier (fall) term.
The researchers also examined the positive and negative emotions associated with peer interaction. While the researchers agreed that little research had been done on this specific area, they also wanted to see if same-sex peers provided different socialization for girls versus boys, given that greater socialization would provide greater changes over the two terms. The group consisted of 61 children,28 boys and 23 girls, enrolled in three preschool or kindergarten classes in a large urban Southwestern US area. Observations were conducted daily, except during naptime, and teacher-directed play where no free choice of play-partners was permitted.
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