Gender Role Socialization is a 10-item measure that captures the extent to which the respondent's parents encouraged gendered behaviors during the respondent's childhood and adolescence. Participants of both gender are asked 7 questions regarding their mothers and fathers encouragement of certain "masculine" and "feminine" behaviors, such as doing outdoor and indoor chores, and wearing long hair. There are three items that are specific to men and women, respectively. The three items exclusively for women pertain to their parents' encouragement of wearing gender appropriate clothes, being a "tomboy", and being "ladylike". Likewise, for men, items pertain to their parent's encouragement of expressing feelings, engaging in boys' activities, and being "manly".
Geographies Tested: United States of America
Populations Included: Female, Male
Age Range: Adults
Items assess how much each parent encouraged specific behaviors traditionally considered “masculine” or “feminine” while the respondent was growing up.
Women and Men
1. Do outdoor chores
2. Play with girls' toys
3. Play indoors (vs. outdoors)
4. Play with boys' toys
5. Do indoor chores
6. Wear hair long
7. Take care of younger siblings
Women only
8. Gender appropriate clothes
9. Be a "tomboy"
10. Be ladylike
Men only
8. Engage in boys' activities
9. Express feelings
10. Be "manly"/"macho"
Response Options:
5-point Likert-scale
Not at all - 1
Somewhat - 3
Very much - 5
The mean of item scores is calculated for the total measure score.
Raffaelli, M., & Ontai, L. L. (2004). Gender socialization in Latino/a families: Results from two retrospective studies. Sex Roles, 50(5/6), 287-299. https://doi.org/10.1023/B:SERS.0000018886.58945.06
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Evidence-based Measures of Empowerment for Research on Gender Equality (EMERGE)
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