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Sex and birth order differences in filial behavior

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Abstract

Personal interviews were conducted with 499 children of elderly white widows. Results showed no birth order differences in the provision of assistance to the elderly; however, there were significant sex differences. Daughters performed more caretaking activities and social services and provided more emotional support for their mothers than did sons. Sons had a tendency, though insignificant, to provide more advisory assistance to their mothers. After adjusting for situational differences between daughters and sons a sex difference remained only for the provision of emotional support.

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This research was supported by a National Institutes of Mental Health Grant MH29201 and by a Biomedical Research Support Grant to the first author.

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Houser, B.B., Berkman, S.L. & Bardsley, P. Sex and birth order differences in filial behavior. Sex Roles 13, 641–651 (1985). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00287300

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