At what age range do gender-typed, same-sex play preferences emerge?

At what age range do gender-typed, same-sex play preferences emerge?

• A. at birth
• B. between infancy and 2 1/2 years of age
• C. in adolescence
• D. in adulthood

Answer: (B)

Gender-typed, same-sex play preferences emerge early as children begin to explore social roles and partner with peers in play. Evidence shows that while infants may show some toy preferences, the clearer pattern of preferring play with same-sex peers and engaging in gender-typical activities appears during the period from infancy up to about 2½ years old. Birth is too early because organized play and peer-influenced gender patterns haven’t formed yet, and adolescence or adulthood are too late because by then these preferences are already established. So the best answer is the window from infancy to roughly 2½ years.

Gender-typed, same-sex play preferences emerge early as children begin to explore social roles and partner with peers in play. Evidence shows that while infants may show some toy preferences, the clearer pattern of preferring play with same-sex peers and engaging in gender-typical activities appears during the period from infancy up to about 2½ years old. Birth is too early because organized play and peer-influenced gender patterns haven’t formed yet, and adolescence or adulthood are too late because by then these preferences are already established. So the best answer is the window from infancy to roughly 2½ years.