How many people REALLY don't mind what gender?

[eth37]

I am newly pg with DC2 and am already sick of people saying 'Ooo you'll be hoping for a girl this time then'. I have the most wonderful little boy, and take this personally for him! I'm also annoyed as if I am having another boy, I feel like everyone will go 'aaww. She must be disappointed' whereas actually, I really don't care!! It is a new child who I will love regardless! Loads of my friends paid for private gender scans with their first babies, all were desperate for girls. Am I abnormal, or does anyone else actually not mind at all?!

I thought I wanted a boy (for DP really)...had a DD and could not be more happy. DP is smitten with her.

I really really didn't mind and I had the same comments until I found out 8 weeks ago at the scan that I am having a second DS. Was completely thrilled and would have been the same had it been DD. I wanted either for different reasons. But I do feel like I need to say how happy I am when I tell people I am having another DS, probably because of the comments beforehand, so that annoys me, but am annoyed with myself.

What about genetic conditions that only affect one gender? They are rare enough that they aren't going to skew to overall figures of whether people would prefer one gender or not.

And male neonates/infants/children have a slightly higher rate of mortality/morbidity. It's not as if they are dropping like flies or anyone with a newborn baby boy needs to be sent a sympathy card on the basis the child probably won't reach adulthood. DH is male, last time I checked, and alive and healthy, last time I checked. So are our fathers and my brothers. The only babies who have died at or around birth in either of our extended families over the last hundred years have all been girls. Shit, maybe I should be wanting a boy?

Left handed people have a higher rate of mortality, too, but I'm not quaking in my boots lest I have a left-hander. And left handers tend to earn significantly more than right handers, for some reason.

Reading with interest all the different points of view. I agree that society is very gender segregated but there are things you can do about it, and the differences between children of the same sex show that there are many personality difference. I think once you have son you become more aware of the negativity towards males as you want to protect them and for everyone to see them in the same light you do, a wonderful little person.

I also believe that the grandparent relationships depend a lot on who the son is marrying. Many women don't get on with their in-laws and they often do have the controlling vote on where kids go/who they see. I had a great relationship with both sets of grandparents but then my mum thought it was very important and would actually take me to my paternal grandparents without my dad. My DH doesn't have a great realtionship with his family and although it is always me pushing him to ring his parents I haven't managed to persuade him to visit them very often. I would like DS to have more contact with them but they are a 2 1/2hr drive away and I'm not prepared to go on my own. My mum doesn't get on very well with my brothers fiancee so is already thinking about how much contact she will have with their kids when the time comes.

I am so heartened by the comments that people genuinely don't care. I was really feeling 'sorry' for all the baby boys, as it seems among my circle of friends, that girl babies are much more exciting.
I couldn't agree more re stereotypes. I hate the way that, at 20 weeks, you find out the gender and suddenly 'know' that you will have a shopping partner/someone for your DH to go to the footy with I am a girl who loves going to the football with my Dad, most Saturdays, while my Mum goes shopping with my Nan. Can't stand shopping, that's what the internet's for!
We've decided not to find out again, purely to avoid making irrational judgements about a baby who will be so much more than 'boy' or 'girl'.

I really really did not care. (Have one newborn). I genuinely did not care at all about the gender, and then when we found out he was a boy, all i wanted was THIS baby. But it annoyed me that people congraulated me specifically on providing DH with a son and heir.

I desperately (but deadly secretly) wanted a girl first time. To such an extent that I worried that I wouldn't welcome a boy properly, and actually convinced myself and everyone around me that it was a boy. I still remember the moment of utter elation when it turned out that it was a girl. Have no idea why I felt like that- the strength of my need for a daughter shocked me.

Didn't mind at all second time - but I have to say it is huge fun having one of each. Not that it wouldn't be huge fun having two the same, obviously....

I really didn't care either way with DD1. Now 15wks preg with No 2. In some ways I don't mind again, happy and healthy is good for me, but if I'm honest another girl would be easier for the fact we have lots of girl stuff, DD is adament she wants a sister and currently DD is the only girl in her gereration in a big family and if she remains the only one, our extended family will feed her potential princess complex.

I will love a little boy just as much and the easy route doesn't have to be the one you take.

On the offending people thing. I'm one of 5, the middle one. 4 girls and 1 boy. My brother was the last and although mum and dad were never bothered either way, when my brother was born the neighbour came round to ask about the baby etc. I answered the door, informed the neighbour that the new baby was a boy and she replied "Ohh lovel,y got it right at last, your Dad must be pleased"
Cheers, thanks for that

I have 3 DSs and really don't mind-I am just relieved that they are healthy.