Sex differences in affective responses as evidenced on the Bene-Anthony Test

This study investigates changes in a child's perception of the relationship with male and female parents during the course of the critical ages of 5, 6, 7, and 8. Correspondingly, since the paper concerns itself with nonpathological normal children, it also provides normative data on the Bene-Anthony Family Relations Test. Findings indicate variable gender and age differences in the feelings experienced by children aged 5, 6, 7, and 8 towards male and female parents. There are differences between male and female children in their attitudes toward mother and father, and there are significant changes within the age ranks. Sweeping norms which do not take age and gender into account are inappropriate on the basis of our findings.