Sex Differences in Preadolescent Self-Esteem

Abstract

It was predicted from the theories of Bardwick that 1) male self-esteem would be greater than female self-esteem only among the older children of the preadolescent sample, 2) reading achievement would correlate with self-esteem for boys in all age groups but only for the younger girls, and 3) individual self-esteem items that showed sex differences would be sex-role related. Data on self-esteem and reading score were collected on 307 urban children in second through sixth grades. Analysis of results confirmed predictions 1 and 3, but not prediction 2. Reading score did not show a significant correlation with self-esteem for girls at any age level tested. Results were discussed in terms of differing sources of male and female self-esteem.