Peer acceptance during elementary years is very important to the children themselves and is predictive of later adjustment during adolescence. Children who are rejected and actively disliked by their peers in school report significantly more loneliness than average-accepted and popular children. The author further feels one of the negative factors is seen in the negative and stereotypical portrayals of gender roles. However, as society becomes more inclusive and liberal in its approach to what is considered male and female, we develop a gradual mixing of male and female traits and roles to produce androgyny. As children become older, they rely more on internal evaluative reactions and less on the threat of punishment.
Adults can encourage the internalization of values by rewarding and encouraging moral behavior.
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