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Mean, Pushy, Reckless, and Different: US Parents' Stereotypes Generate Discomfort With Their Children's Intergroup Peer Interactions.

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Bibliographic Details
Title: Mean, Pushy, Reckless, and Different: US Parents' Stereotypes Generate Discomfort With Their Children's Intergroup Peer Interactions.
Authors: Elenbaas, Laura (AUTHOR), Hitti, Aline (AUTHOR), Kneeskern, Ellen (AUTHOR), Ackerman, Amanda (AUTHOR)
Source: Social Development. Feb2026, Vol. 35 Issue 1, p1-12. 12p.
Subjects: Stereotypes, Social interaction, Group identity, Daughters, Peer pressure, Psychological stress, Classism, Socialization
Geographic Terms: United States
Abstract: Despite the benefits to children, intergroup peer interactions make some parents uncomfortable. Drawing on social identity theory and an integrated stereotyping framework, this study investigated how US parents' (N = 569) discomfort with their children's potential intergroup interactions might differ by child and peer group gender (boy, girl), race (Black, White), and social class (higher‐, middle‐, or lower subjective social status [SSS]). Across child ages (8–16 years), parents were most uncomfortable with groups that they assumed were mean, pushy, reckless, and different (ηp2 = 0.03–0.08). Groups perceived in these ways were most often rich White girls (mean), rich and middle‐class White boys (pushy), poor White and Black boys and White girls (reckless), and poor Black girls (different). These results demonstrate how stereotypes can underlie parents' discomfort with intergroup peer interactions for their children. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
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Database: Psychology and Behavioral Sciences Collection
Description
Abstract:Despite the benefits to children, intergroup peer interactions make some parents uncomfortable. Drawing on social identity theory and an integrated stereotyping framework, this study investigated how US parents' (N = 569) discomfort with their children's potential intergroup interactions might differ by child and peer group gender (boy, girl), race (Black, White), and social class (higher‐, middle‐, or lower subjective social status [SSS]). Across child ages (8–16 years), parents were most uncomfortable with groups that they assumed were mean, pushy, reckless, and different (ηp2 = 0.03–0.08). Groups perceived in these ways were most often rich White girls (mean), rich and middle‐class White boys (pushy), poor White and Black boys and White girls (reckless), and poor Black girls (different). These results demonstrate how stereotypes can underlie parents' discomfort with intergroup peer interactions for their children. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
ISSN:0961205X
DOI:10.1111/sode.70044