Fairness The Difference Between Boys and Girls

It's important for the parents to understand the difference between boys and girls when it comes to fairness. Learning to be fair is a critical aspect of child development, influencing his/her social relationships, empathy, and moral judgment. A new groundbreaking study published in Nature explored how fairness perceptions differ between boys and girls, revealing significant gender-based trends in sharing and competitive behavior. Understanding these dynamics can be crucial for parents, as they play an important role in shaping how children perceive and enact fairness in daily life, which in turn shapes children’s relationships later in life.

This recently published Nature study, led by researchers investigating neurodevelopmental and behavioral patterns in children, found distinct differences in how fairness is perceived and practiced in boys and girls. The study involved a large sample of boys and girls, aged 7 to 13, engaging in a resource-sharing task.

By the end of the study, researchers found that:

1- Boys Display More Competitive Fairness: Boys were more likely to engage in fairness behaviors that could be described as competitive. When sharing with other boys, they tended to minimize their own losses and maximize their gains. Interestingly enough, this competitive approach was less apparent when interacting with girls.

2- Girls Emphasize Equality and Empathy: In contrast, girls demonstrated more of an egalitarian approach, showing a preference for equal distribution of resources. Girls were less motivated by competition. Their behavior was often driven by empathy, particularly when sharing with peers, and they were more willing to let personal gains go for the gains of the group.

3- This difference becomes more pronounced as children age: This study highlighted how age and context influenced fairness. Younger boys and girls showed less pronounced differences in fairness-related behavior. However, as they aged, boys' competitive tendencies became more prominent, while girls' inclination toward empathetic fairness strengthened. These tendencies were also context-dependent. As mentioned before, boys were less competitive when interacting with girls. Also, girls displayed more generosity when sharing with close friends.

4- It’s not just what they do; their brains seem to work differently: The researchers examined brain activity using fMRI (Functional MRI) during the sharing tasks, identifying differences in how boys and girls process rewards. Boys' brains showed heightened activity in regions associated with competition and self-gain, while girls' brains activated areas linked to social cognition and empathy. This neurological data further supports the behavioral differences observed.

It is important that parents understand the way children of different genders perceive fairness. Parents can use it to help children obtain social skills. Fairness is not equality; it’s about understanding the needs of others and acting accordingly. When parents model and encourage fairness at home, children learn how to handle disagreements, cooperate with others, and build trust. Additionally, fairness is a building block for moral development, teaching children how to balance self-interest with the needs of others—a skill critical in both personal and professional growth later in life.

Another study published in the Journal of Social and Clinical Psychology emphasized that empathy plays a crucial role in fairness. Children who are taught to recognize the feelings of others and adjust their behavior accordingly tend to be more successful in navigating complex social situations, from friendships to future work environments. Many times, these are not skills that children learn on their own; they have to be taught, especially at home and by parents.

The Broader Impact of Fairness in Childhood Fairness during childhood also has long-lasting effects on mental health and well-being. The study in Nature connects fairness to reward processing, which can influence a child’s motivation and self-esteem. Children who consistently experience fairness, both in giving and receiving, tend to develop a stronger sense of self-worth. Conversely, children who struggle with fairness or experience unfair treatment may develop trust issues, insecurity, or even aggression.

From an evolutionary perspective, fairness is a fundamental component of social gathering, and learning it at an early age prepares children for adulthood. This concept aligns with research published in Frontiers in Psychology, which shows that fairness-related behaviors are linked to better peer relationships, reduced conflict, and stronger community bonds.

Authored by:

Dr. Alireza Sarmadi
Family Physician

References:

https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC9182229/

https://www.nature.com/articles/s44271-024-00139-9

https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/psychology/articles/10.3389/fpsyg.2024.1330024/full

https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/psychology/articles/10.3389/fpsyg.2024.1368224/full