Select Region
Let's Get Social!


New Study: THIS Is the Child You Favor

New Study: THIS Is the Child You Favor

You probably think you treat your kids equally. You're probably wrong.


 

Imagine you’re out shopping, and you’re in a rush. You have a son and a daughter back home, but only enough time to pick out a gift for one of them. Which child is going to get the present?

According to a new study available online in the Journal of Consumer Psychology, moms would likely buy swag for their daughter, while dads would get the gift for their son. That’s right: Even though most parents say they treat all their kids equally, the researchers found that simply isn’t true.

So Long, Stereotypes

Despite the stereotypes of the momma’s boy and “daddy’s little girl,” parents unknowingly favor the child of the same sex when it comes to money. The reason? The study’s authors say it’s because women see themselves in their daughters, while men identify with sons.

To reach their conclusions, the researchers conducted a variety of experiments. In one, parents with a child of each gender had to pick which kid would receive a $25 treasury bond. The majority of moms chose their daughters, while dads ‘bonded’ with their sons. The study’s subjects also favored same-sex children when deciding who would receive more money in their will.

In still another experiment, participants were given a single raffle ticket, which they could use to enter a drawing for either a girl’s or boy’s backpack. Dad’s picked the boy’s backpack 87 percent of the time, while mom went for the girl’s backpack 75 percent of the time. (By the way, more than 90% of the people in the study had insisted they treat children of different genders exactly the same.)



Long-Lasting Consequences

The findings may have far-reaching effects, the researchers say. Daughters may benefit if Mom makes most of the family’s financial decisions, while sons may get more resources if Dad holds the purse strings.

This unwitting bias may also have implications that go beyond the family, the study's authors theorize. If a woman is the decision-maker in the workplace, female employees may be more likely to benefit, while the reverse may be true if a male is in charge of who gets promotions.

The upshot? Be self-aware of your biases and make a little extra effort if you really want to be fair to your sons and daughters.

Related Links: Raising Money-Smart Kids

Sign Up Now For Our Weekend Planner Newsletter

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

More Parenting Articles:

Parents Call on MTA to Remove Open-Stroller Ban on NYC Buses

New York City parents are advocating to change the open-stroller ban on NYC buses.


Latest News:

Student Struggling in School: 8 Simple Things You Can Do at Home to Help

Experts share how parents can help if their student is struggling in school, whether it’s in a certain subject or learning in person rather than at ho...


Family Activities:



Have a Laugh:

Best Memes of the Week for Parents

Here are the funniest parenting memes from Instagram, Facebook, and Reddit this week.
Deborah Skolnik

Author: Deborah Skolnik, a graduate of Cornell University, lives in Westchester with her husband and two daughters, and enjoys writing, cooking, and gardening. See More

Featured Listings:

Avenue Orthodontics

Avenue Orthodontics

Whitestone, NY At Avenue Orthodontics we believe that a healthy, confident smile makes a huge difference in life. That’s why we’re dedicated to providing our patien...

Friends Academy Summer Programs

Friends Academy Summer Programs

Locust Valley, NY For 50 years Friends Academy Summer Camp has believed that each child carries unique gifts and talents which we seek to nurture and celebrate. The pri...