American Couples Want First Child To Be A Boy

American Couples Want First Child To Be A Boy

Couples want their first child to be a boy – because boys are easier than girls (apparently).

And as the oldest of four lads and a father of two, I can only wholeheartedly agree! I'm joking. Of course!

According to a survey by the American money-saving website, CouponCodes4U, 47per cent of of 2,129 recently married couples said they would prefer to have a son first, and most said it was because boys are 'less hard work'.

Only 21 per cent of the respondents said they would like to have a daughter as their first child, and 32 per cent said they had no preference either way.

While the majority of couples wanted a son first, the reasons behind their gender preferences were varied.

Most of the couples who wanted a boy - 45 per cent - said they felt that having a son would be 'less hard work' than a daughter.

On the other hand, a third said they wanted a boy because older sons are better at looking after their younger siblings.

Even though boys are preferred as the oldest child, couples did not rule out having a girl altogether - 37 per cent said they would like to have a daughter second.

The study found that while raising a boy is perceived as easier, couples who wanted to have a daughter first see older girls as 'better role models' to their younger siblings.

Mark Pearson, chairman of CouponCodes4u, was 'surprised' by the findings.

"What the survey does highlight is the fact that gender preference is still an issue that many couples face when they discover they are having a child," he said.

"Hopefully what all parents should remember is that the health of the child is much more important than the gender."

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