Abstract
Labeling an infant as a boy or girl affects behavior toward the infant. While intimates know a baby's sex label and behave consistently to the baby, strangers cannot unless given a cue. Forty-eight infants and their caretakers were observed in suburban malls to see if clothing normally provides such cues; 90% of the infants were dressed in sex-typed clothes. Girls wore or carried pink (75%), yellow, ruffles, puffed sleeves, and/or dresses. Boys wore blue (79%) and/or red. Observers were able to correctly guess the sex of “labeled” infants only. Surprisingly, simultaneous caretaker interviews revealed that parents do not spontaneously mention sex as a factor in clothing choice, nor do they feel they would be very bothered by strangers' mistaking the infant's sex.
This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.
Similar content being viewed by others
References
Brooks, J., & Lewis, M. Attachment behaviors in thirteen-month-old, opposite-sex twins. Child Development, 1974, 45, 243–247.
Condry, S. M., Condry, J. C., Jr., & Pogatshnik, L. W. Sex differences: A study of the ear of the beholder. Sex Roles, 1983, 9, 697–704.
Culp, R. E., Cook, A. S., & Housley, P. C. A comparison of observed and reported adultinfant interactions: Effects of perceived sex. Sex Roles, 1983, 9, 475–479.
Fagot, B. I. The influence of sex of child on parental reactions to toddler children. Child Development, 1978, 49, 459–465.
Frisch, H. L. Sex stereotypes in adult-infant play. Child Development, 1977, 48, 1671–1675.
Goldberg, S., & Lewis, M. Play behavior in the year-old infant: Early sex differences. Child Development, 1969, 40, 21–31.
Haugh, S. S., Hoffman, C. D., & Cowan, G. The eye of the very young beholder: Sex typing of infants by young children. Child Development, 1980, 51, 598–600.
Rothbart, M. K., & Maccoby, E. E. Parents' differential reactions to sons and daughters. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 1966, 4, 237–243.
Rubin, J., Provenzano, F., & Luria, Z. The eye of the beholder: Parents' views on sex of newborns. American Journal of Orthopsychiatry, 1974, 44, 512–519.
Seavey, C. A., Katz, P. A., & Zalk, S. R. Baby X: The effects of gender labels on adult responses to infants. Sex Roles, 1975, 1, 103–109.
Serbin, L. A., O'Leary, K. D., Kent, R. N., & Tonick, I. J. A comparison of teacher response to the preacademic and problem behavior of boys and girls. Child Development, 1973, 44, 796–804.
Smith, C., & Lloyd, B. Maternal behavior and perceived sex of infant: Revisited. Child Development, 1978, 49, 1263–1265.
Smith, K. E., & Barclay, L. K. Kindergarten children's descriptive sex-stereotyping of infants. American Journal of Orthopsychiatry, 1979, 49, 514–517.
Wallston, B. S., Devellis, B. M., & Wallston, K. Licensed practical nurses' sex role stereotypes. Psychology of Women Quarterly, 1983, 7, 199–208.
Will, J. A., Self, P., & Datan, N. Maternal behavior and perceived sex of infant. American Journal of Orthopsychiatry, 1976, 46, 135–139.
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Shakin, M., Shakin, D. & Sternglanz, S.H. Infant clothing: Sex labeling for strangers. Sex Roles 12, 955–964 (1985). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00288097
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00288097