Sex-mixed classes, sex-mixed friendships? The effect of sex composition of school classes on cross-sex friendships between migrants and natives

Abstract

Most friendships are between actors of the same sex. Earlier research explaining this phenomenon overlooked the role of the structural opportunities for forming friendships. Based on the opportunity theory a direct positive relation between the percentage of opposite-sex classmates and the proportion of cross-sex friendships is hypothesized and tested. Moreover, based on the intergroup contact theory and the social identity theory, an indirect relation through a person’s gender-role orientation is hypothesized and tested. Furthermore, based on various arguments, it is expected that these effects are weaker for students with a migration background than for children without a migration background. Survey data of 3768 students from 222 Dutch school classes are analyzed by structural equation modeling. The findings indicate support for a direct effect of the percentage of opposite-sex classmates on the proportion of cross-sex friendships, but not for an indirect effect through a person’s gender-role orientation. Moreover, the effects were equally strong for students with a migration background as for students without a migration background. Limitations, implications, and suggestions for future research are proposed.