Final answer:
Gender stereotypic beliefs take root earlier than the middle and late elementary years. Studies suggest that children are aware of gender roles by two or three years old and are entrenched in these roles by age four or five through socialization, with school environments further reinforcing gender roles and stereotypes.
Step-by-step explanation:
The question of whether stereotypic gender beliefs begin to take root during the middle and late elementary years is complex, as studies indicate that the awareness and internalization of gender roles start much earlier. Cross-cultural studies show that children as young as two or three are aware of gender roles, and by the age of four or five, most have ingrained societal gender norms due to socialization processes.
Socialization, which involves learning to behave according to societal values, beliefs, and attitudes, largely takes place within several spheres of a child's life, including family, education, peer groups, and mass media. This socialization into gender roles often leads to the reinforcement of gender stereotypes—oversimplified generalizations about the traits of women and men. These stereotypes can then give rise to sexism, a form of prejudice based on gender. For instance, society may view activities like riding a motorcycle as masculine, thus promoting a stereotype about what behaviors are suitable for men versus women.
Once a child begins school, gender socialization continues, sometimes in less overt ways. This might involve gendered encouragement of certain subjects, like home economics for girls and science for boys, or when teachers ask students to separate themselves by gender for seating or lining up. All of these practices can affirm gender-differentiated behavior patterns.
In conclusion, while the refined articulation of gender stereotypes becomes more apparent during the middle to later elementary years, the foundational aspects emerge much earlier during a child's life. This signifies that the true/false dichotomy offered in the question does not account for the nuanced development of gendered perceptions and behaviors that begin in infancy and continue to be reinforced throughout childhood.