Study Reveals Siblings Influence Gendered Play Choices in Young Children

Children with older siblings of the opposite gender are more likely to engage in non-traditional gendered play, according to a new study by France's INED.

The study, conducted by the Institut National d'Études Démographiques (INED), analyzed data on 12,290 children aged two years old to explore the impact of siblings on gendered play behaviors.
Children with older siblings of the opposite gender are more likely to play with toys traditionally associated with that sibling's gender, such as boys playing with dolls or girls playing with toy cars.
Daily interaction between siblings amplifies this effect, with younger children more likely to adopt diverse play behaviors when they frequently play with their older siblings.
Parental influence on play choices is less significant than sibling influence, though mothers playing with their children daily slightly increases the likelihood of girls engaging in traditionally male-associated play.
The findings highlight how family dynamics, particularly sibling relationships, can challenge or reinforce traditional gender stereotypes in early childhood.