For Children, the World is More Separated by Gender

Of course we realize that children don't typically think like adults. In fact, as we're doing our taxes, an 11-year-old is probably more concerned about the safety of his train set.

Yet a recent study shows that for youngsters in particular, gender segregation plays a greater role in early life.

According to researchers at Michigan State University, they found that boys and girls have trouble being friends together.

Based on a study that involved 426 second- through fourth-graders from five elementary schools in the United States, results showed that only boys played with boys and girls with girls.

"Kids believe gender plays a larger role in friendship than it actually does," lead study author Jennifer Watling Neal, an assistant professor of psychology, via a news release. "Thus, while gender does matter a great deal in the formation of children's friendships, children think it is nearly the only relevant factor."

The study showed that children were up to 50 times  more likely to believe that two classmates were friends when they were the same gender.

Neal explains the importance of the study findings, noting that children who possess more accurate perceptions of social relationships may be better at avoiding conflict, as well as getting along with peers in genera.

If something's not done, these perceptions could translate into how children may act as adults with their relationships later in life.

What do you think?

More information regarding the study can be found via the journal Child Development.