Why are so many women so obsessed with having girls?

[TreacsPotNoodle]

(Not all women of course.)

But it seems to be so common that pregnant women are desperate for a baby girl! Why is this?!

3 of my friends who had babies around the same time as me were so disappointed to find out they were having boys and have made a point to "keep trying until they have a girl"

I'm not trying to be goady I just genuinely cannot think of why baby girls are so favoured over baby boys?

I didn't have a great impression of boys.

My older brother was a bully and made my childhood pretty miserable.

Teenage years of navigating 'boys' was not a pleasant experience either.

My firstborn was a girl and DC2 is a boy. When I found out I was having a boy I felt a huge sense of responsibility to ensure he grew up to be a good man. I never felt that worry with my daughter, not for a second. I also worried that he would be unkind to my DD.

However DS is the kindest soul and just like his Dad. I just hope I'm doing a good job of not raising an aggressive, entitled twat.

agree here. i work in sonography and the amount of men who literally throw a hissy fit because it’s a girl is unreal

Because I prefer females.

I would not have wanted all male children.

I agree with everything you have said. Everything! You have articulated it so well. The only exception is that I have had a second child and again hoped for a girl but that was because I felt I knew how to parent a girl now and if baby had been a boy, I would have been lost. I have had a second girl so my wish came true and I love having two girls. However a tiny part of me is sad that I'll never have a son

My husbands nephews are wild like Tornados make me feel tired after half an hour. Nothing like my boy. Would Put me off anymore for life if I actually wanted anymore. I do think boys tend to either be really calm or wild with no apparent inbetween.

I feel guilty saying this, I’d never say it IRL but I have had so many awful experiences with men over the years I am glad I ended up with girls and don’t have the responsibility of raising a boy.

I was bullied relentlessly by 3 brothers growing up, resulting in life long low self esteem and terrible body dysmorphia.

I was treated like a piece of meat in my teens/twenties by some total arseholes.

I see men look at my (much older looking) 11 year old now and it sickens me to my stomach.

There are a lot of (not all) bad men and I don’t know how to stop them becoming that way, especially now with porn and social media etc… I am scared of men tbh! Not little boys, obviously, my daughters have lots of male friends.

So that is my reasoning, and it will offend a lot of people so I am sorry.

I didn't have any view with first child and didn't know until birth (DD1) but then having seen the boy toddlers being mostly incredibly physical and exhausting I admit I wanted a girl second time around. Of course if DD2 had been a boy I would no doubt be eating my words. It's daft.

What does that mean?

Many countries promote boys, for example India and China. This has historically been more common than wanting girls.

It's interesting that so many people on here are saying that men are less good at keeping in touch with their parents than women are. A recurring theme on MN is women moaning about their MILs, and getting angry that their husbands won't "go NC with MIL" after some perceived failing!

It isn’t about babies. And only thick, vacuous selfish types want the ‘princess doll’ to dress up. It’s largely because in white British culture women are closer to their family than men are.

A friend of mine is a perfect example - devoted her entire life to two perfectly nice sons who love her but they’ve both moved away near to their wives’ families and only text if they want something, and only see her on high days and holidays despite seeing the in-laws all the time. She’s heartbroken.

I KNOW, I KNOW there are exceptions. Of course there are sons that stay close. And daughters who don’t. But I’d say that as a rule of thumb, and everything I’ve observed about families I’ve known over the years, it’s pretty true.

With that attitude you probably shouldn't have had children at all because there is a 50-50 chance of having a boy.

Your friend's sons probably have wives who post on MN about how annoying their MIL is, and get told by everyone here they should make their DH prioritise them over the annoying MIL.

@UWhatNow

I agree. It sounds like your friend did a good job raising her sons though. If they pick wife as number one they’ve been mothered well.

I have two sons and I am fully prepared for that dynamic and anything more will be a bonus. Me and my sisters see my mum much more than my brother.

Exactly.
One of the common situations on here is when a woman has a baby. Her family are allowed to visit straight away, in fact her mum is often at the birth. But her DH's family can't come for several weeks because it's too intrusive. And then people wonder why men don't have such close relationships with their families!

I think it's due to wanting that stronger connection that females tend to share. Often it's daughters who are closer to their mothers in adulthood. There's a saying a son is a son until he finds a wife and a daughter is a daughter for life (or something like that). Of course having a daughter doesn't guarantee any of this but I do think it's got something to do with it.

I always wanted at least one girl ( I had boy girl boy)....my DD was desperate for girls ( she got 2) ....her DP wants to try for a 3rd but she won't in case its a boy this time 🤷‍♀️

I think it's all to do with your mindset, women with an unhealthy mindset towards males in general won't want sons, and a blessing if they don't have them to be honest. Also those who lack confidence, or have a fear of the unknown will prefer girls thinking thats the easier option.
Strong healthy women raise strong healthy young men. In an ideal world both boys and girls would be equally celebrated.

My two best friends were both desperate to have boys because ‘what man isn’t obsessed with his mum?’

I don’t agree that’s the case and would add that a preference for either sex is sexist. Not saying that to be insulting but the very definition of sexist to favour one sex!

Anyone who relies on lazy gender stereotypes (‘gross’ boys or ‘preening’ girls) would be a fairly rubbish parent anyway imo and could only blame themselves if their kid turned out to be a self fulfilling prophecy.

They literally want a mini me for Instagram and boys don't do that for the Gram

I think my preference came from years as a teacher, dealing with aggressive, entitled teenage boys, and the overall number of pleasant, well behaved, non-arsehole girls Vs the overall number of pleasant, well behaved, non-arsehole boys

basically this. Mothers cannot be objective to their boys bad behaviours

@RobynNora

Oh Christ mummy’s boys in the making. I love my sons dearly and they love me but they’re not obsessed with me. Why are some women so ridiculous.

Ask any 4 year old if they want a brother or sister - I guarantee that the majority of girls want a sister and the boys want a brother. It’s instinctive.

strawberrysugar23 interestingly, stats show men are far more likely to leave the family unit if their offspring are solely female.
I have two DS and it has been fascinating to raise them. All new experiences to me, navigating the world from childhood to adulthood from a male point of view.
I may have liked a DD at one stage, but not being fussed about 'girly days' I don't feel I've missed out. In fact, what time has taught me is that for us as a family, two of the same gender has been absolutely the best outcome.

I have one of each and I fantasise about having had two girls. My son is so angry all the time, never talks to me