Prenatal hormones and postnatal socialization by parents as determinants of male-typical toy play in girls with congenital adrenal hyperplasia

Toy choices of 3- to 10-year-old children with congenital adrenal hyperplasia (CAH) and of their unaffected siblings were assessed. Also assessed was parental encouragement of sex-typed toy play. Girls with CAH displayed more male-typical toy choices than did their unaffected sisters, whereas boys with and without CAH did not differ. Mothers and fathers encouraged sex-typical toy play in children with and without CAH. However, girls with CAH received more positive feedback for play with girls ’ toys than did unaffected girls. Data show that increased male-typical toy play by girls with CAH cannot be explained by parental encour-agement of male-typical toy play. Although parents encourage sex-appropriate behavior, their encouragement appears to be insufficient to override the interest of girls with CAH in cross-sexed toys. Extensive research has demonstrated reliable sex differences in a range of behaviors in both adults and children. In adults, differences have been reported in sexual behavior, occupations and interests, specific cognitive abilities such as mental rotations ability and verbal fluency, and levels of aggression (Eagly &amp