This study examined the factors that influence parents' provision of opportunity for their children. In particular, it focused on the roles of the sex of the parent and the child in the provision of opportunities in two sex-stereotyped domains, sports and music. Data were collected from about 500 mothers and 300 fathers of second, third, and fifth graders. Items assessing parents' beliefs about their child and themselves that were relevant to a particular domain were factor analyzed. Parents indicated the extent of: (1) the child's involvement; (2) the parent and child's involvement together; and (3) parents' encouragement in the areas of sports and music. The results indicate that both sex of parent and sex of child influence parental provision of opportunities. The Eccles and others (1983) model of parental influence was supported in that the effects of child sex, in particular, and parent sex, to some degree, were mediated by the parents' perceptions of the child. Implications for further research are stated. A figure outlines Eccles' and others' influence model. Two figures concerning other models and three references are also appended. (Author/GLR)