The present study was designed to investigate gender differences in the fragility of children's close, same-sex friendships. Based on past research, it was hypothesized that the close friendships of girls are more fragile than those of boys. A secondary goal of the study was to explore possible reasons for the sex difference in friendship instability. Students from 17 classes of grades one through six of an elementary school were interviewed about past friendships, and conflict resolution among current friends, within their class. The hypothesis that girls' friendships are more fragile was supported: The number of past friendship reported for girls was higher than that reported for boys across all grade levels. No explanations were found for the sex difference in fragility of friendships. Results are discussed in terms of the lack of explanations for gender differences in friendship fragility, as well as the implications of lower friendship stability on the psychosocial well being of girls.

No description available.

Thesis (Ph. D.)--University of California, Santa Cruz, 1998. / Typescript. Includes bibliographical references (leaves 80-91).

No description available.