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Bye bye boys! The provocative reason so many moms now only want girls
Some parents say they now hope for daughters, reflecting a possible shift in long-standing preferences for boys. The trend is discussed alongside social media videos of “gender disappointment” and debate about masculinity and the challenges of raising sons.
A 2025 Gallup International survey of nearly 45,000 people in 44 countries found that 19% of women preferred a daughter and 12% a son, while about two-thirds had no preference. The article also cites a 2018 Cornell study suggesting the traditional preference for boys was declining, reports that some adoption studies found a strong preference for girls, and says one fertility doctor has noticed more patients seeking daughters through IVF. The account includes parents with mixed feelings: one mother says she still mourns not having a daughter while deeply loving her three sons.
In short
- Survey respondents were more likely to prefer daughters than sons.
- Most women surveyed had no preference.
- Some parents describe complex feelings about family gender expectations.