To wonder if women do play a role on if a child is born male or female?

[PatoPotato]

I know that biology says that males have sperm which determine the gender depending on X and Y chromosomes.

Recently I have come across studies about the maternal dominance theory. This theory suggests that women who are more assertive and dominant are more likely to have sons because they have a raised level of testosterone which acts as gate keeper to sperm and favours male sperm.

Has anyone heard of this before? Here is a study www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/m/pubmed/8981113/

I think there are lots of factors that can slightly sway your chances of having a boy or a girl, but it basically remains near enough 50/50.

What about the millions of women who have both boys and girls?

I think the theory states that if you have both it is due to a life event, so you would have been more stressed/assertive when you conceived a boy.

My extremely dominant and assertive mother had 4 daughters so I'm guessing the study may be flawed.

There's some evidence about the acidity of the vagina can affect it. Can't remember whether it's X chromosome sperm or Y chromosome sperm which swim faster/have more stamina but I think there is a difference and then the vagina can affect which is more likely to st through.

There's evidence for certain things swaying likelihood of male/ female based on a number of maternal factors (hormone levels and acidity of vagina being two) and evidence of similar determining sexuality as well. Not enough research has been done though.

There's also evidence that more boys are born in war time. It's an interesting area of research.

I like the idea of it being related to assertive and dominant Mothers, but suspect it's all based on chance.

However, I lost stillborn twins over 15 years ago, both boys, and have had two more boys since. I've known with every pregnancy that I was having boys and have joked with friends that I don't 'make' girls, so I wonder if there's something in it.

So assertiveness and dominance is a male thing?

Doubt it. I actually have medically raised levels of testosterone and 2 girls.

I thought it was to do with one sperm being faster / longer lived so depended on when you had sex in relation to ovulation.