Martin asks why he does not like playing with girls. When children have a choice, they choose to play with members of their own sex. It's cute, in a cooties sort of way. But it can translate into powerful differences as we grow older, says Martin, a family resources and human development professor who studies gender segregation among kids. Communication and interaction styles grow out of the way we are socialized.
Girls play in small groups, usually relegated to the leftover places on the playground.
They are cooperative and agreeable. Their play is quiet, structured and verbal. If they are playing with Barbies, there is usually a continuous story being told about what Barbie's doing, where she's going, and what she's thinking. If a girl starts a conversation, others try to continue it by showing interest and staying on subject. They favor equality and harmony.