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Most Americans Prefer This Gender Baby, Says New Poll
Pink or blue, we'll love you?
Consider this: If you had no kids and could one have one, would you want a boy, a girl, or would the gender not matter?
Depending on how you answered, you might be surprised by the results of a recent Gallup poll that asked the same question.
The Gallup polling agency recently asked 1,020 Americans whether they’d prefer to have a girl or a boy if they could only chose one.
Forty percent said they would want a boy, 28 percent said they would choose a girl, and the remaining participants didn’t mind either way or weren’t exactly sure.
What may be even more startling is that back in 1941, Americans who were asked a similar question had nearly the same results: 38 percent preferring a boy, 24 percent wanted a girl, and the rest had no preference. Throughout the years, the same question has been posed at least eight times and the answers remain relatively the same.
So what does this say about the value of women and the women’s movement?
I have two girls and a boy. Back when I was pregnant with my first daughter, I immediately felt that I didn’t care at all if the baby would be a boy or a girl. And I felt the same way with each subsequent pregnancy. The idea that gender would greatly impact the value of the baby was absurd. My husband felt the same way, never feeling pressured to have a son.
Even President Obama recently said himself that he is fully blessed with his two girls and has no plans to try for another to see if it might be a boy. Yet I know many men who not only want a son, but they want a son first to be the protector and a daughter second. It’s nothing less than a sign of an insecure man, in my opinion. Some say they want to carry on the family name which is nonsensical because a girl can keep her own name now; times have changed in that respect since many women are retaining their maiden names when marrying.
I think it’s sad that despite everything we say about gender equality and the strides we have made in attaining it, both in the workplace and at home, that we still, deep down as a whole don’t value girls and women as much as boys and men.
My two older girls will teach my son how to be a caring man, and a sensitive husband. They are the oldest in our family and just as capable, creative and smart as a son would be. And they can take care of themselves. Isn’t it about time we stop the nonsense notion of the feeble woman who needs to be taken care of?
How did you answer the question? Why did you choose your answer?
Wanted a Boy, Having a Girl: How to deal when you’re disappointed with your baby’s gender.
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14 Comments
goddess commented on Jun 24 11 at 12:26 pmI firmly believe we get the souls that are meant to travel with us in each life. After having 2 boys, though, I must admit, I yearned for a daughter. The neatest thing though is getting to know each little person as the years go by. Who’d trade? No one I’ll bet!
Julie commented on Jun 24 11 at 12:26 pmIt really didn’t matter to me either way but I thought that a boy would be less high maintenance. My husband always wanted a girl and that’s what we had. She’s almost 5 and she loves to play hard like the boys but she still loves all things princess.
Andrea commented on Jun 24 11 at 12:45 pm“Yet I know many men who not only want a son, but they want a son first to be the protector and a daughter second. It’s nothing less than a sign of an insecure man, in my opinion.” First of all, how do you know this? And second of all, how insulting. A man is insecure if he prefers a son, but a woman who prefers a daughter is just fine? Double standard much? Men who prefer sons are no different from women who prefer daughters. And there is nothing wrong with either.
daria commented on Jun 24 11 at 1:59 pmno sex preference either way, either time. lest we all forget, sex does not equal gender-stereotyped behaviors and preferences. my sensitive non-athletic son (self-professed main goal in life: being a good daddy) and always-playing-in-the-dirt daughter attest to that.
Manjari commented on Jun 24 11 at 2:57 pmWhen we found out we were expecting twins, we both hoped for one of each.
Jennifer H. commented on Jun 24 11 at 8:15 pmI think I was meant to be mother to a boy. When I was pregnant, I was nervous about having a girl, but I wouldn’t have been disappointed – I just had nerves about raising a girl, whereas I felt relaxed when I thought about raising a boy. I just hoped that, if I had a girl, she’d be a tomboy like her Mama and Aunt. My husband didn’t really care either way. We have a happy, healthy 1 year old son now. I’ve loved having a boy and look forward to Boy Things. I’d have been just as happy with a girl, but she’d have had to go looking to Grandma for Princess Parties, Tea Parties, Makeup, and whatnot, LOL. She’d have been fine though. So, while I would’ve answered the survey that I’d pick a boy if I could, it’s not like I wouldn’t have loved and been thrilled with a girl. The baby we’re meant to have is the one that shows up, after all.
kat commented on Jun 24 11 at 8:29 pmWe kind of wanted a girl first (ok, I really did) because I am the eldest of 3 girls and it made the most sense to me. My husband is the firstborn son and has a sister 18 months younger. He was and is a great big brother and we do love that our son turned out to be extremely protective of his baby sister. Wanting that isn’t about insecurity, it’s about knowing that if you raise an awesome guy, he really will keep a look out for his lil sister throughout their whole lives. My husband has totally told a creepy ex boyfriend to stop harassing his sister and stay away from her for good, and that was when his sister was in her mid twenties! Sometimes it’s nice to have a big strong guy in your corner. I always wish that I had a big brother when I was growing up, and now my mini-me daughter will :)
Kate commented on Jun 24 11 at 9:08 pmI think the comment about last names is a little odd. I know very very few women who kept their maiden names, so I completely understand a man wanting to have a son to continue the family name.
Asha commented on Jun 24 11 at 10:31 pmI have to say I prefer boys. I have two. I love the rough and tumble, the adventures, the affection, the boisterousness. While I adore my friends/sisters girls, I’m not a fan of their preciousness and am not sure that girls are something my mommy self would be good with! I believe I was given boys for a reason!
Angela commented on Jun 25 11 at 7:12 amI admit that I’ve always wanted a daughter am still a little bit sad now that both pregnancies have been confirmed boys (we’re not going to have any more) and I know it’s no longer a possibility. It’s not about not wanting or loving the boys I’ve been given or embracing princesses, sparkles and other gender stereotypes (yuck!). My own mother did a great job of raising her daughters to be confident and independent whether or not there was a man in our life and teaching us not to rely on stereotypes to tell us who we are. I had hoped to pass that on. Obviously I want those things for my boys too but their societal challenges are a bit different and harder for me to relate too.
Voice Of Reason commented on Jun 25 11 at 11:47 amWhat Daria said. Sex doesn’t always mean gender and it never really has, Let’s be honest, gender stereotypes are just that: stereotypes. There are a million shades of grey.
And, Kate, I don’t know where you live, but where I live the number of women who change their names when they marry is about 50%. My children’s class lists support that assertion, It’s a trend that is definitely on the decline. (I would be pretty shocked if my daughter grew up and changed her name if/when she get married.)
lynn commented on Jun 27 11 at 2:20 pmI’m terrified of having a boy
Nay commented on Jun 27 11 at 9:22 pmI’d prefer to have a boy and then a girl myself. Nothing to do with being insecure OR a man. All the little boys I’ve met with little siblings ADORED the younger ones. All the little girls I’ve met with little siblings HATED the newcomers (unless there was at least 6 years age difference). But that’s my personal experience, I know it doesn’t always work out that way, and it will not bother me if it doesn’t work out like that. However, if I were to just have one baby with no adoptions, I’d want a girl. Could do all the same stuff as with a baby boy, but with the added benefit of cute baby clothes.
Sarah Caldwell commented on Aug 15 11 at 12:12 pmHas anyone else noticed how few of the last presidents have had daughters, but not sons?
Obama–two daughters
Bush II-two daughters
Clinton–one daughter
While Bush I, Carter, and Reagan had sons, none lived in the White House. No male child of a president has lived there since 1963.
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