Peer acceptance is a powerful predictor of current and future psychological adjustment. The antisocial behavior of rejected children leads to severe dislike by agemates. During the school years, boys' masculine gender identities strengthen, whereas girls' identities become more flexible. However, cultural values and practices can modify these trends. In middle childhood, child rearing shifts toward coregulation.
Parents exercise general oversight while granting children more decision-making power.
Sibling rivalry tends to increase, and siblings often take steps to reduce it by striving to be different from one another. Only children are just as well developed as children with siblings, and they are advantaged in self-esteem and achievement motivation. Children of gay and lesbian parents are well adjusted, and the large majority are heterosexual. Large numbers of American children experience the divorce and remarriage of their parents. Child, parent, and family characteristics influence how well they fare.