Steem4nigeria Accelerator Contest Week 57: What gender do you prefer your child to be?

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The question of what gender one would prefer a child to be is a personal question whose reply differ from person to person and cannot be generalized.
This is so due to the different factors which may influence this decision, factors like family traditions, societal expectations, or even personal experiences.

Though this topic matter very much to some, to others, it doesn't count or even cross their minds when thinking of a child. They may focus more on factors like the health and overall well-being of the child.

Though the cost of raising a child can vary depending on many factors, a girl child, in my opinion is more expensive to train.
Before concluding on that, let's look at some of the considerations which might influence whether raising a boy or a girl is perceived as more expensive:

1. Clothing and Personal Care

• Girls: for girls, clothing and personal care items may be more expensive, especially as they grow older. The society seems to focus more on the the fashion and beauty for girls and this tends to increase the spending on items like clothes, different accessories, and personal care products as well.
• Boys: though boys might generally seem to require less attention when it comes to fashion trends, their sports and hobbies can also be costly.

2. Health and Medical Costs

• Though boys and girls have different healthcare needs, it is somewhat difficult to generalize which gender brings about more expenses.
  However, girls may have higher healthcare costs related to reproductive health as they age, while boys might engage in risky physical activities, leading to higher injury-related expenses.

3. Societal Expectations

• In some societies, more may be spent on girls when it comes to thingd like weddings, beauty, and other social expectations. In contrast, in some cultures, families may seem to invest more in boys for education or some inheritance-related purposes.

Though there's is no precise general answer to whether boys or girls are more expensive to raise, as it depends more on the individual family involved, the societal expectations, and also, the needs and interests of the child in question.
In some areas, girls might be seen to bring about higher costs related to appearance and care, while boys might be more expensive due to extracurricular activities like sports.

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Sincerely speaking from my present knowledge and understanding, I wouldn't prefer any particular gender if I were to be a parent today. I would definitely prefer a boy child as much as I would prefer a girl child.

Though I might not exactly prefer just one gender, like all boys or all girls, I very much appreciate the gift of any. Like the say goes, "variety is the spice of life", so yes, being a parent today, I would deeply appreciate and prefer both genders.

During adolescence, both boys and girls can show some tendencies to go out of control but the nature and extent of the behaviors can differ and in my opinion, it might be more for the boys.

Where boys might be seen to engage in physical risk-taking behaviors, girls may experience some level of emotional disturbance. These tendencies however, are influenced by some factors for boys and girls and they include ;

1. Boys:

• Risk-Taking Behavior: boys do more or exhibit more of the risk-taking, especially physical risk-taking like reckless driving, using substance, some criminal offense, and aggressive behaviors during adolescence.
  This can be linked to certain biological factors and it's also associated with their level of competition and dominance-seeking behaviors.

• Social Expectations: In many cultures and even the society at large, boys are often expected to be independent and tough. This can also contribute to exhibiting rebellious behavior as they try to maintain or exercise their masculinity and independence.

• Peer Influence: Adolescent boys are often influenced by peer groups, and they may engage in riskier activities to gain social acceptance or status within those groups.

• Emotional Suppression: Boys may be less likely to express emotions in socially acceptable ways due to societal norms about masculinity, which can result in acting out or externalizing their frustrations through aggression or defiance.

2. Girls:

• Emotional Intensity: during adolescence, girls most times experience heightened emotional sensitivity which may lead to mood swings, anxiety, and depression.
  Though they might not engage in physical risk-taking as boys, this emotional distress can lead to some unhealthy habits in a bid to cope. These habits may come in form of eating disorders (eating too much or too small, or not eating at all), risky relationships, or even self harm.

• Social and Peer Pressure: most times, girls are more sensitive to social changes and this may lead to feeling some form of pressure to seek social approval.
  This can sometimes lead to behaviors like fighting or going against authority, risky sexual behavior, or involvement in unhealthy social groups.

The statement "What a boy can do, a girl can do better" is most times used to when talking about gender roles or to emphasize gender equality, particularly in skills, abilities, and opportunities.
In someway , it tends to express the idea that women and girls could be just as capable (or more) than men and boys in various aspects of life.

Anytime I come across or hear this statement, female empowerment and gender equality comes to mind at first. Encouraging girls to try to be confident in their abilities and to also take on challenges that were once considered to be for only boys or men.
It serves as some motivational slogan, pushing girls to think outside the box and break barriers and not be limited by what the society expects of gender roles.

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Though personal preferences may vary depending on different factors, it's important to recognize that gender don't really matter as the well-being and happiness of a child are basically controlled by their environment, their upbringing, and the love and support they receive.

Ultimately, the most important aspect of parenthood or being a parent is to provide a good and loving environment for the child, regardless of their gender.

Thank you, @steem4nigeria for organizing this contest. I'm inviting my friends; @uduak01, @nsijoro, @whizzbro4eva, @uduak3287 and @bossj23 to participate.

      Thanks for reading through.