Sexual dimorphism in peer and play preference has been observed in very early ages. Children with atypical gender behavior usually present socialization difficulties. Their preferences were investigated through two standardized instruments: Playmate and Play Style Preferences Structured Interview and Human Figure Drawing. The participants were 234 children, from 9 to 11 years old, 120 girls. It was observed high correlation between child sex and peer sex as well as type of play and sex of the person drawn, corroborating similar data from international literature. It has been concluded that children between 9 and 11 years old have gender typical choice patterns, but they are not inflexible.
Sexual dimorphism; measurement of behavior; gender differences; child's play
