EVALUATING THE USE OF SEX-ROLE-REVERSED STORIES FOR CHANGING CHILDREN'S STEREOTYPES

The empirical phase of this project evaluated the use of role-reversed stories within school settings as a methcd of modifying, elementary school children's attitudes about sex requirements rTilative.to occupational choice. The sutjects (N=1123) were first through fifth grade students from varying cultural backgrounds in different locations. Approximately half of the children were randomly selected as ' treatment sutjects andivere pretested with an instrument designed tc measure sex-role attitudes. Tkeatment consisted of a series of stories which were written as sex-role reversed with regard to occiipation. Posttests were administered one-to-two weeks,aftertreatment and approximately a year later. The multivariate main effect for the treatment group was significant, in all schools. The project shcwed that at least some aspects of children's attitudes can be changed using readin