Final answer:
The inaccurate statement is that adolescent boys show a stronger peer attachment than adolescent girls. Boys and girls both value peer relationships highly, but they may express these attachments differently.
Step-by-step explanation:
Research in adolescent development has generally shown that peer relationships are critical for both genders, but the nature of these relationships can differ. While boys often form larger peer networks and may participate in activities that involve groups, girls tend to form more intimate and emotionally supportive friendships. Peer groups become important for adolescents as they provide a platform separate from family to develop an identity and exert independence. Gender differences in peer attachment are not about the strength of attachment but rather the way in which the attachments are experienced and expressed.
Adolescent groups indeed become more mixed-gender as children grow older, reflecting increased social and emotional maturity. These groups often become more formal and heterogenous, serving as a key socialization agent outside of the family. During adolescence, the influence of crowds and cliques does indeed become more pronounced as individuals seek to form their identities and gain acceptance within their social environment. Parental influence, while still significant, is balanced with peer influence, with adolescents often turning to their peers for advice and affirmation.