This comes up on here quite a lot, although I’ve never experienced it in real life. In reality I do think a lot of men still want a boy and a lot of men and women want ‘one of each’.
I’m guessing the reasons are
Girls are perceived as easier to parent when younger, likely to do better at school, have fewer anti-social issues, and generally get through life with less hassle. This tempered by a belief that girls are much more of a nightmare as teens. It’s going to depend on your background and how you raise your kids, but it’s mostly nonsense.
A perception that girls maintain relationships with their families after marriage more, you will see more of your daughter’s children, and your daughter will be there for you when you’re old. Still some truth in some of this.
Belief that men cause more trouble in the world than women - not just in terms of violence, but in terms of not pulling their weight as partners, being less likely to parent well post divorce, and a lot of online battering of women. Undeniably truth in this, and while it doesn’t apply to many many men, you only have to read the relationships board on here to know that in degrees there is still a lot of it about.
I think it’s absolutely essential to call it out, but I think the reasons above are worth keeping in mind when you do - so something like ‘as the mum of boys it makes me really sad to hear you say that. My sons are fantastic little boys - affectionate and playful and friendly. I am bringing them up to be brilliant men who are respectful of women. Talking negatively about boys isn’t just unfair it makes that more difficult.’
I think the things to avoid at all costs is being derogatory about girls when defending boys. I guarantee you there will be loads of this is the replies here.
I do also think it’s worth keeping in mind people don’t think it’s a problem to be rude about boys/men because the world is still easier on them. This doesn’t make it Ok obviously, but still.