Family of origin influencing gender desire

[GMarie]

I have five brothers, and I always assumed I would have boys when I had kids. I think a big part of my GD comes from that assumption. Weirdly, until me, my family has been boy heavy...
My mom's family: :bigboy::biggirl2::bigboy:
My dad's family: :bigboy::bigboy: (Him) :bigboy:
Their kids: :bigboy::biggirl2:(Me):bigboy::bigboy::bigboy::big girl2::bigboy: and then they adopted :biggirl2::biggirl2:
Older brother: :bigboy::bigboy::biggirl2::bigboy:
Younger brother 1: :bigboy::bigboy::bigboy:
Younger brother 2: :bigboy: and SIL is 9 weeks PG with what she thinks is a boy
Younger brother 3: :bigboy:
Younger sister: 15 weeks PG with what has been guessed boy from 12 week US
And then there's me with :biggirl2::biggirl2::biggirl2::biggirl2::biggirl2:
You'd think, based on family history, I'd get at least one boy. Or maybe statistically I have to have girls to even out the rest of the family...

[atomic sagebrush]

Gender doesn't run in the family the way you're thinking of it. There are some genetic things that come minorly into play, like height or natural muscle mass, but it's mostly lifestyle stuff.

Unrelated question, did you enjoy having all brothers growing up?? Some of us on here with 4-5 boys and one girl do wonder about that sometimes. :) Personally I think it sounds fun but I've had people look my daughter right in the face and say "I feel sorry for YOU!" :p

[Throwaway_panther]

I think any slight family gender preference based on family history lies with the male, doesn't it? As in, it makes sense your father and brothers have more boys than girls, but for you we'd have to look at your partner's family? Though all of that is small and likely insignificant and just trying to apply general statistics to individuals, which isn't how it works... so ignore my thinking out loud, haha.

What's your lifestyle been like for all of your daughters?

[GMarie]

Gender doesn't run in the family the way you're thinking of it. There are some genetic things that come minorly into play, like height or natural muscle mass, but it's mostly lifestyle stuff.

Unrelated question, did you enjoy having all brothers growing up?? Some of us on here with 4-5 boys and one girl do wonder about that sometimes. :) Personally I think it sounds fun but I've had people look my daughter right in the face and say "I feel sorry for YOU!" :p

I loved it. My first sister was born when I was ten and my other two sisters are much younger than me, only 8 and 11 now. In fact, my youngest sister is three weeks younger than my oldest DD. So my brothers were the ones I grew up with and it was great. The brother born 18 months after me was/is my best friend.

[GMarie]

I think any slight family gender preference based on family history lies with the male, doesn't it? As in, it makes sense your father and brothers have more boys than girls, but for you we'd have to look at your partner's family? Though all of that is small and likely insignificant and just trying to apply general statistics to individuals, which isn't how it works... so ignore my thinking out loud, haha.

What's your lifestyle been like for all of your daughters?

My DH comes from a much smaller family with more even gender distribution. His mom has one sister and one brother, his dad is an only child, and they had one girl after DH. She has a girl and boy in that order.

My lifestyle has varied. I'm not a breakfast person so I usually skip it and I do drink lots of coffee when not PG. I also love Diet Coke and crystal lite.

[atomic sagebrush]

I loved it. My first sister was born when I was ten and my other two sisters are much younger than me, only 8 and 11 now. In fact, my youngest sister is three weeks younger than my oldest DD. So my brothers were the ones I grew up with and it was great. The brother born 18 months after me was/is my best friend.

Thank you!! What a cool family you have (both your family of birth and the family you're raising now!)

[GMarie]

Thank you!! What a cool family you have (both your family of birth and the family you're raising now!)

Thanks! When people hear I have five brothers they often say they're sorry. :think: I tell them no need to be, I love them all! My closest brother is the only one besides DH who knows about my desire for a son. He's very supportive.

[trifecta]

I think it would probably be much easier to be the girl with a lot of older brothers than to be the youngest or second youngest brother.

[atomic sagebrush]

Thanks! When people hear I have five brothers they often say they're sorry. :think: I tell them no need to be, I love them all! My closest brother is the only one besides DH who knows about my desire for a son. He's very supportive.

I would LOVE TO have a brother that I grew up with. (I have a half-brother who I of course love, but he's 13 years younger than me and it's not the same) I think it would be so awesome to have a guy that would look out for you and protect you. I sometimes feel jealous of my sister in law when my husband fixes stuff for her, or she calls him on the phone for advice on this or that. Thank you!!

[atomic sagebrush]

I think it would probably be much easier to be the girl with a lot of older brothers than to be the youngest or second youngest brother.

From bullying or???

[trifecta]

From bullying and competition, yeah.

I had a friend who came from a large family and was then bounced through a few foster homes. He said the youngest middle kids had the most difficult position in a large family. I know it's not always the case but I think there is some truth to it. You're not big enough to effectively defend yourself against the older kids but you don't have the buffer of being the baby or in this case the only boy or girl.

I think age gaps make a difference, too. I would be surprised if your kids fit this pattern, Atomic.

[atomic sagebrush]

Very interesting, thanks! Makes a good deal of sense.

[Bane Harper]

What a cool family story :bighug: