Do you think fathers favor their daughters over sons?

[Anonymous]

So many girls have told me their fathers favor them over their brother. And vice versa that mothers favor their sons over daughters. What do you think?

[jrose]

Well, I'm definitely daddy's girl- in fact I still call my father daddy. If I chose to I could probably get almost anything I asked for from my dad- but it took me until I was like 20 to realize this and I never got into the habit of asking him for anything. I wasn't raised that way- I was raised to work for what I want and stand on my own two feet, so asking for something I want goes against the grain. In fact, I try to be careful not to even mention things I need to dad because he'll more often than not get it for me.

But I wouldn't say he favours me over my brother totally although dad is more likely to do something for me just because (buy me a new chef's knife, weed/water my garden) than he would be to buy my brother new work-out gear or change his oil. But that being said, my brother's the only boy and the one my dad talks about with the most pride to other people. He's proud of me, but I'm not the superfit football/hockey/rugby player who now coaches/trains varsity teams and teaches to pay the bills. Dad will talk anyone who'll listen's ear off about my brother's training regimes and his teams' achievements. It's a male thing I think, but I know dad loves me so I've never cared that my brother is his pride and joy.

And my mom definitely does NOT favour my brother- she definitely favours my older sister and always has. Dad has the opposite response to my sister...

I don't know if my family is typical, but I'd say it just sort of depends on the family dynamic.

[Deft_maiden]

There is truth to that at some level. Most parents do secretly favor one child over another. They are only human. If one child is giving them a hard time and the other is easy then it is only natural to favor him/her. The trick is to keep it a secret or to a minimum.

[Mallecroft]

most parents will try very hard not to consciously show favoritism. However, on certain levels they will treat their kids differently. But it might not be actual favoritism, it might just look that way to the kids because of the different way the parent in question will react to certain things.

for example, it would be hard for a father's heart not to melt and quiver when he hears his daughter say 'daddy' in a sweet voice, and he may react to her more sweetly and seem to show more affection. When that same father sees his son achieving something or growing wiser he may feel a surge of pride and react in a different way. From the kid's perspective it might look like he favors his daughter because he might act more sweet toward her, but in reality the father loves them both, but just feels different emotions and expresses himself differently around them.

that's my theory. I'm sure there are some bad parents out there who would openly have a favorite, but good parents would consciously try not to do that.

[beastman88]

never heard the phrase mamas boy? or daddies girl? daughters first man in their life is their father, and the father needs to show as much love as he can, so when the daughter grows up she's not lacking confidence and looks for love in all the wrong places if you know what I mean. same goes for boys. mother has to teach the son how to be respectful towards women so they don't grow up to be a**holes. on the same note parents should love their children equally even though I've seen much much different. both parents play vital roles in their childrens lives. its saddening that the divorce rate is so high, many children end up getting scarred emotionally, and up making many wrong choices in their lives. this is why I don't have much hope for future generations. any way ill stop ranting.

[Asker]

No you didn't rant. This was informative and confirmed what I always figured. No matter what, you can't help the fact that you will favor the child that's of opposite gender.

[Cryostatic]

Favor, probably not. However, they treat them differently. Fathers tend to dote on daughters, and view sons as more self-sufficient.

But being treated differently doesn't necessarily mean that one is favored over the other.

[Belgie]

I think when you're a parent, you'll realize it's impossible to favour one child over the other.

[Konnour]

Yes, it's true.

But I don't think that vice-versa is that much common too.

[Xx_DRE_xX]

I think it's based on who the parent sees more of themself in.

[dodgersmom11]

Nope. My brother is def my dads favorite.

[taster]

Yes I do..my father certainly did..o.O

[michael0314]

I think I would do this.

[LonelyandInTheDark]

seems like it in my messed up family

[supersean123]

They're harder on boys over girls.

[Lj237]

I bet both of your parents favored you ;)

[Asker]

Were you a good mommys boy? Hehehe

[Lj237]

i only do everything she tells me to do ;p lol jk

[Lj237]

I'd say that's generally true