Family Relations and the Self-Concepts of African Adolescents: Gender-Related Differences

Abstract

This study examines gender differences in perceived parental behaviors and self-concepts among Black African adolescents in Cape Town, South Africa. Four hundred ninety-six boys and girls were administered the Perceived Parental Behavior Inventory and the Self-Description Inventory. No significant differences were found between boys and girls on the three domains of the Perceived Parental Behavior Inventory. On the Self-Description Inventory, however, boys scored higher than girls on relations with family, physical abilities, emotional stability, relations with peers dimensions as well as global selfconcept. Girls had a higher mean score on music ability dimension than did boys. Significant positive relationships were found between perceived parental behaviors and specific dimensions of self-concept between boys and girls, but the magnitude of the relationships between the two variables was stronger among boys than among girls. The view that family relationships are a significant influence on the development of self-concepts of adolescents, regardless of the gender of the individual, is supported in this study.