The influences of sex and birth order on differences of parental treatment

Abstract

The study examined the effects of children’s birth order and sex on differential parental treatment. 302 families with two children participated in the study (N = 1208). Maternal and paternal relations with children were assessed using the technique 'Parent-child interaction questionary'. This technique allows to obtain both parent’s and children’s evaluations of parent-child relationships. Analysis of parental ratings revealed that fathers demonstrated a higher level of connivance with daughters than with sons. Both parents showed higher control over the younger children, regardless of child sex. Analysis of children’s ratings showed that boys evaluated higher paternal negative control than girls. Fathers were more likely than mothers showed differences in relations with children. It has been shown that fathers distinguished younger daughters in mixed-sex pairs. Fathers had greater confidence in communication with young daughters, they were more inconsistent in their parenting. Younger girls from mixed-sex pairs got higher scores on the scale of a positive relationship with their fathers, than other children.