Relationship between sex-role identification and self-esteem in early adolescents

Administered the Gough Feminine Scale and Coopersmith Self-Esteem Inventory to Catholic early adolescents. Results suggest that the male role may have greater value than the female role whether the role is adopted by a male or female. It is suggested that the "peer group's reaction to one's sex-role identification is an important determinant of the early adolescent adequacy" and that "teachers and parents apparently respond primarily to factors other than appropriate sex role behavior in reinforcing the early adolescent." (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2006 APA, all rights reserved).