Gender-Typed and Gender-Segregated Play Among Tanzanian Hadza and Congolese BaYaka Hunter-Gatherer Children and Adolescents
Date
2020
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Child Development
Abstract
Few data exist on gender-typed and gender-segregated play in hunter-gatherer societies, despite their unique
demographic and cultural features which may influence children’s gendered play. Using naturalistic observations of Hadza (N = 46, 41% female) and BaYaka (N = 65, 48% female) hunter-gatherer 3- to 18-year-olds from
Tanzania and the Republic of Congo, we showed that access to playmates was negatively associated with
playing in mixed-gender groups. Young boys did not engage in more rough-and-tumble play than girls, but
adolescent boys participated in this type of play more than adolescent girls. Children were also more likely to
participate in work-themed play which conformed to gender norms within their society. Findings are discussed within the context of gendered division of labor, child autonomy, and demography.
Description
item.page.type
Article
item.page.format
Keywords
child development, play, gender, culture, Hunter-Gatherers, cross-cultural differences
Citation
Lew‐Levy, S., Boyette, A. H., Crittenden, A. N., Hewlett, B. S., & Lamb, M. E. (2020). Gender‐typed and gender‐segregated play among Tanzanian Hadza and Congolese BaYaka hunter‐gatherer children and adolescents. Child Development, 91(4), 1284-1301.