For 80 years, surveys always pointed in the same direction: men wanted a son. Gallup has been asking since 1941, and the answer barely changed. In 2018, American fathers still preferred a boy twice as often as a girl.
Then something shifted. In Finland, the preference for boys disappeared in the 90s. In South Korea, the preference for daughters has already surpassed that for sons. The most recent surveys show parents clearly leaning toward having a girl first. 🧒👧
Researchers say the reason is not in the children, but in what men seek from fatherhood. The bond with daughters tends to be more emotional, closer. The economic argument for a male heir lost weight. The father’s role as provider and protector gave way to something quieter: connection. 💙