Do boys need less parenting and cost less to raise than girls?

[elliejjtiny]

Can you settle this debate for me because I have all sons so don't have any daughter experience.

My MIL insists that boys need "less parenting" than girls and that they cost less to bring up.

I think that's rubbish and it's about individual personality, if they have disabilities/health problems and how much parents are willing to pay.

We are broke so the dc know that they get clothes from Primark/supermarket/ebay and if they want anything fancier then it's a Christmas/birthday present. Apparently if they were girls I would "have" to buy them designer stuff otherwise they would get body image issues/eating disorders.

My dc have their fair share of problems, autism, self harming etc which apparently would be worse if they were girls. I don't think that's true. I think some issues are more common in boys or in girls but neither sex is particularly easy.

But apparently I am clueless about how hard it is to have girls because I don't have any.

At the same rate as men?

I have 2 boys and a girl and found boys sporting hobbies very expensive. Cricket the equipment is very expensive and if they are good they want top quality equipment and karate is expensive because as well as paying for lessons you pay more every time they get a new colour belt. My DD did running and swimming which was far cheaper. DC whatever sex needs similar amounts of new clothes.

All DC are expensive just in different ways.

Surely it depends on the child.

My MiL once told me ‘boys are easier’, but since she only had boys (4!) what she based this on, I don’t know. It couldn’t have had anything to do with what she’d seen of our dds, who were always (thankfully!) so easy, even as toddlers and during the so-often dreaded teens.

FiL was always extremely strict - bordering on harsh - with the boys - maybe that had something to do with it…

Same as dancing then … stick some music on and dance around the lounge 🤷🏻‍♀️ proving classes and costumes is what costs!

I’d say that is a very outdated and sexist point of view … but ok!
Fyi, my daughter had long hair and I trim the end off therefore her is free and my sons costs more!
What about gym membership, more expensive cars, suits for work, expensive trainers … boys and girls cost the same and it’s up to the individual. Not all girls spend loads on nails and make up … you are making a massive generalisation.