Race and Sex as Factors in Children's Sociometric Ratings and Friendship Choices

Abstract This research provides a comprehensive analysis of the association of race and sex to children's peer relationships by assessing: a) the association of both race and sex; b) multiple measures of peer relationships (sociometric ratings and friendships); and c) an entire elementary school (Grades 1 to 6) with nearly an even number of African‐American to European‐American children in each class. Regardless of age, race, or sex, and for both relationship measures, children showed a greater bias favoring same‐sex peers than same‐race peers. Although older African‐American children had more same‐race than cross‐race mutual friends, African‐American children were more accepting of European‐American children than the reverse. Despite some same‐race preferences, cross‐race evaluations were generally quite positive on both measures. The differential impact of sex and race as considerations for peer evaluations is discussed.