The Pros & Cons of Male & Female Parenting
When it comes to raising children, people and soon-to-be parents have strong opinions on which gender is easier to raise. Sometimes it is simply an issue of balancing out the family. For instance, a family with three girls might wish for a boy the fourth time around. Regardless of the reasoning, there are pros and cons to both male and female parenting.
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Discipline
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According to therapist Michael Gurian, boys tend to be less verbal and are generally more ruled by their impulses, which can lead to rambunctious and hyperactive behavior that can cause headaches for the parents. A boy's sense of hearing is also less acute than his female counterparts, which in turn leads to a perception of problematic stubbornness. Many times the child can get misdiagnosed with a disorder, such as ADD.
Self-Esteem
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Boys tend to have a better self-image than girls do. Even if they do have mild issues with self-esteem, as a rule it takes less work to build it up than with girls, which makes it easier on the parents of males. Another benefit to parenting a child with good self esteem is that he will be less likely to succumb to peer pressure that promotes bad behavior, such as drinking or smoking.
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Early Development
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Girls develop a better vocabulary earlier on and are more people-oriented in general in the beginning. This makes things easier on the parents because daughters don't have to be coached as much on basic social skills. According to psychopathologist Simon Baron-Cohen, Ph.D., a girl has a keener sense of empathy and relating to people. For this reason, many parents see boys as being less sensitive and more difficult to parent.
Unchecked Emotions
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Girls tend to be more emotional creatures than males and can seem a bit more volatile and dramatic. Granted, this is a general rule, as every brain develops differently. It is not uncommon, however, that the transition from happy child to troubled, angry teen is more rapid with females than males. This can be hard on the parents during this period, as they often find that no matter what they do, they come across as the uncaring, insensitive enemy.
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References
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