Do dads treat daughters better than sons?

If you thought "daddy's little girl" was a just cliché, think again. According to a study published today in Behavioral Neuroscience, dads are more attentive and responsive to toddler daughters' needs than fathers with sons of the same age.

nbcnews.com - Are Daddy's Little Girls Treated Better Than Little Boys? - NBC News

Who should Geminis end up with?

To answer the question, "Who is Gemini most compatible with?", look no further than Aries, Leo, Libra, and Aquarius. These four signs have a high...

Last updated Nov 17, 2021

Do I have ADHD or is it trauma?

ADHD vs. trauma. ADHD is a mental health condition typically characterized by inattentive, hyperactive, or impulsive behavior. On the other hand,...

Last updated Jan 11, 2018

Do you really know who the “One” is? Your true Soulmate?

Promotion

If you thought "daddy's little girl" was a just cliché, think again.

According to a study published today in Behavioral Neuroscience, dads are more attentive and responsive to toddler daughters' needs than fathers with sons of the same age. Researchers studied the brain scans and random, daily recordings of interactions of a group of fathers and found that they "sang more often to their daughters and spoke more openly about emotions, including sadness, possibly because they are more accepting of girls' feelings than boys'." And it's not just the touchy-feely stuff that dads doled out liberally to their daughters — what they said was different, too. Fathers with young sons tended to focus on achievements and more physical, rough-and-tumble play, using words like "win," "proud" and "top" more often than with girls. On the flip side, dads with daughters used more analytical, detail-oriented words like such as "all" and "much." The study authors noted that this kind of language has been linked to future educational and academic achievement.

Are We Hard-Wired or Taught to Parent Differently?

The study, which is one of the few to research a father's role in child rearing, couldn't say one way or another whether our brains are wired to treat kids differently or we're just reacting to basic social norms. "If the child cries out or asks for dad, fathers of daughters responded to that more than did fathers of sons," says lead researcher Jennifer Mascaro, PhD, of Emory University. "We should be aware of how unconscious notions of gender can play into the way we treat even very young children," she says.

RELATED: 7 Things You Don't Need to Tell Your Kids About Money

Not everything in the study skewed more favorably to girls. In the recordings of daily communication, dads used language that referenced their daughters' body parts ("belly" and "tummy") more often than fathers of sons. Research has shown that body dissatisfaction and low self-esteem increases for girls more than boys later on in adolescence.

3 Subtle Shifts Toward Gender Equality in Parenting

Worried that you may have subtle gender biases and blind spots? You're most likely not alone. "Recognizing points of bias are often the first step in addressing them, and so the observation that we may talk about emotions less with boys could serve as a reminder to help all children, girls and boys, identify and label their emotions," says Mascaro. Here are some simple strategies to keep the parenting playing field a bit more even: Don't be afraid to roughhouse. Research has shown that getting on the floor and physically (but safely) playing with your children — both boys and girls — can help them regulate their emotions. Words matter. If what you say can affect everything from academic and physical achievement (think: sports and school) to body image, remember to use the same kind of healthy praise and attention with both your sons and daughters. Be attentive to both boys and girls. "The fact that fathers may actually be less attentive to the emotional needs of boys, perhaps despite their best intentions, is important to recognize," Mascaro says. Children who have their emotional needs met develop more empathy as they get older — which just might come in handy for dad (and mom) during those challenging teenage years.

Follow BETTER on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram

Why is the day of death better than the day of birth?

The day of death puts an end to all those sufferings & miseries, which their birth was the introduction to, or attended with. 1. THEY were born in...

Last updated Apr 26, 2021

Why does my 12 year old have no friends?

There are many reasons why a child may not have many, or any, friends. She might be noticeably different, either physically or intellectually. He...

Last updated Nov 4, 2019

Promotion

Which house is related to death?

8th House -related planets causing death If no planet occupies or aspects the 8th House, the lord of the 8th House should be considered and the...

Last updated Jan 9, 2022

What are the signs of eye power?

What symptoms might you develop if you need glasses? blurred vision. double vision. fuzziness, as in objects don't have defined, clear lines and...

Last updated Aug 24, 2022

Promotion

How can I impress my teacher crush?

So pick the tips that work for you and try them today. of 08. Pay Attention to Details. Thomas Barwick/Iconica/Getty Images. ... of 08. Do Your...

Last updated Mar 22, 2018

Promotion

Can a first born marry a first born?

A firstborn with another firstborn, Leman writes, is likely to be a power struggle. They tend to bump heads because firstborns can be...

Last updated Nov 24, 2020