Gender-Typed and Gender-Segregated Play Among Tanzanian Hadza and Congolese BaYaka Hunter-Gatherer Children and Adolescents

Lew-Levy, Sheina; Boyette, Adam H; Crittenden, Alyssa N; Hewlett, Barry S; Lamb, Michael

Abstract

Few data exist on gender-typed and gender-segregated play in hunter-gatherer societies, despite their unique demographic and cultural features which may influence children’s gendered play. Using naturalistic observations of Hadza (N = 46, 41% female) and BaYaka (N = 65, 48% female) hunter-gatherer 3- to 18-year-olds from Tanzania and the Republic of Congo, we showed that access to playmates was negatively associated with playing in mixed-gender groups. Young boys did not engage in more rough-and-tumble play than girls, but adolescent boys participated in this type of play more than adolescent girls. Children were also more likely to participate in work-themed play which conformed to gender norms within their society. Findings are discussed within the context of gendered division of labor, child autonomy, and demography.

Citation

Lew-Levy, S., Boyette, A. H., Crittenden, A. N., Hewlett, B. S., & Lamb, M. (2020). Gender-Typed and Gender-Segregated Play Among Tanzanian Hadza and Congolese BaYaka Hunter-Gatherer Children and Adolescents. Child Development, 91(4), 1284-1301. https://doi.org/10.1111/cdev.13306

• Journal Article Type: Article
• Online Publication Date: Sep 25, 2019
• Publication Date: Jul 16, 2020
• Deposit Date: Sep 11, 2023
• Journal: Child Development
• Print ISSN: 0009-3920
• Publisher: Wiley
• Peer Reviewed: Peer Reviewed
• Volume: 91
• Issue: 4
• Pages: 1284-1301
• DOI: https://doi.org/10.1111/cdev.13306
• Public URL: https://durham-repository.worktribe.com/output/1734307