Theoretical bases for research on the acquisition of social sex-roles by children of lesbian mothers.

The present study, which examines the socialization effects of lesbian mothers upon their children, begins with a discussion of the classification and measurement of sex-typed behaviors. Theories from developmental, behavioral, and social psychology are applied, in order to distinguish between the acquisition of sex-typed behaviors and the actual performance of those behaviors. The conditions affecting the modeling process are also discussed. Lesbian lifestyles and values are explored through a review of several descriptive studies of lesbian mothers. Finally, an application of theoretical models is presented to determine the socialization effects on the children. A theoretical base is provided for suggested experimental research.