Are girls more expensive than boys?

[Anonymous]

I read that one child costs $300k to raise, but it seems like girls cost more. I would estimate +$50k. Am I correct?

[Anonymous]

Why, what is it you think costs more?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I read that one child costs $300k to raise, but it seems like girls cost more. I would estimate +$50k. Am I correct?

Do you realize how many assumptions must be made to come up with that "cost". There are so many variables, it's a silly discussion topic.

[Anonymous]

Weddings, clothes, haircuts, parties, etc. girls are expensive.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I read that one child costs $300k to raise, but it seems like girls cost more. I would estimate +$50k. Am I correct?

I don’t know. Are you correct, OP? What do you think? Where are you getting your numbers for this silly, sexist question?

[Anonymous]

Pink tax? I have two boys or I would tell you what makes a girl more expensive or not.
When I think about the kids in extended family, spending depends on the parent way more than the gender of the child.
There are too many variables more important than gender.

[Anonymous]

Traditional weddings are very expensive. My brother and SIL just dropped $130,000 on my niece. It was beautiful. The bride and groom come from large families. Once you add in their friends it’s gets expensive. They can easily afford it though.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Weddings, clothes, haircuts, parties, etc. girls are expensive.

Most couples pay for their own weddings, or parents from both sides contribute. My parents and ILs both gave the same amount (a few thousand) to help pay for our wedding.

Boys wear clothes, get haircuts, have and go to parties. People can spend more or less on those things but it's a choice.

I know girls who are very low maintenance, do inexpensive sports or activities, are not into clothes or makeup (or work part-time and spend their own money on those things), etc.

I also know boys who always need the most expensive sneakers and clothes, participate in extremely expensive sports, eat insane amounts of food, etc.

And vice versa.

You cannot generalize by gender. Also my guess is that if you strongly believe that girls cost more than boys, you will spend more on your girls than your boys because you have bought into the belief that this is how it is. But that's your own fault.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Traditional weddings are very expensive. My brother and SIL just dropped $130,000 on my niece. It was beautiful. The bride and groom come from large families. Once you add in their friends it’s gets expensive. They can easily afford it though.

Your brother and SIL are stupid, but good for all the vendors who made money off that wedding I guess.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Weddings, clothes, haircuts, parties, etc. girls are expensive.

Most couples pay for their own weddings, or parents from both sides contribute. My parents and ILs both gave the same amount (a few thousand) to help pay for our wedding.

Boys wear clothes, get haircuts, have and go to parties. People can spend more or less on those things but it's a choice.

I know girls who are very low maintenance, do inexpensive sports or activities, are not into clothes or makeup (or work part-time and spend their own money on those things), etc.

I also know boys who always need the most expensive sneakers and clothes, participate in extremely expensive sports, eat insane amounts of food, etc.

And vice versa.

You cannot generalize by gender. Also my guess is that if you strongly believe that girls cost more than boys, you will spend more on your girls than your boys because you have bought into the belief that this is how it is. But that's your own fault.

+1 excellent response

[Anonymous]

Depends what you include: I don't include weddings in child expenses, and I would give an equal amount to my son and daughter anyway. I don't believe weddings should be paid for the bride's parents, what a horrific relic from bygone years!

If you're only including costs up to 18 years old, then activities, tutoring, medical/therapy bills and what makes the difference between one child and another. It's not gender related.

My son cost a ton in tutoring and special needs care. My daughter costs a ton in fancy activities like horse back riding. Same overall costs, I'd say.

Past 18, there's college. I pay 65K for my adult son's private uni (he got merit aid, sticker price is 90K). Then there's downpayments on housing in our future, or cars, or other things they might need. The point is intelligent wealth transfer to minimize taxation and help my children at the times they need it most.

If you were thinking girls cost more because "clothes" then you no idea of what actually important stuff costs, OP.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Weddings, clothes, haircuts, parties, etc. girls are expensive.

Most couples pay for their own weddings, or parents from both sides contribute. My parents and ILs both gave the same amount (a few thousand) to help pay for our wedding.

Boys wear clothes, get haircuts, have and go to parties. People can spend more or less on those things but it's a choice.

I know girls who are very low maintenance, do inexpensive sports or activities, are not into clothes or makeup (or work part-time and spend their own money on those things), etc.

I also know boys who always need the most expensive sneakers and clothes, participate in extremely expensive sports, eat insane amounts of food, etc.

And vice versa.

You cannot generalize by gender. Also my guess is that if you strongly believe that girls cost more than boys, you will spend more on your girls than your boys because you have bought into the belief that this is how it is. But that's your own fault.

I was with you until the bolded. Now I am convinced boys are more expensive

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Traditional weddings are very expensive. My brother and SIL just dropped $130,000 on my niece. It was beautiful. The bride and groom come from large families. Once you add in their friends it’s gets expensive. They can easily afford it though.

Your brother and SIL are stupid, but good for all the vendors who made money off that wedding I guess.

They can afford it. I'm just glad I don't have to pay for a wedding.

[Anonymous]

The most expensive children are often those with severe special needs, and boys are more likely to have severe special needs.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Weddings, clothes, haircuts, parties, etc. girls are expensive.

Most couples pay for their own weddings, or parents from both sides contribute. My parents and ILs both gave the same amount (a few thousand) to help pay for our wedding.

Boys wear clothes, get haircuts, have and go to parties. People can spend more or less on those things but it's a choice.

I know girls who are very low maintenance, do inexpensive sports or activities, are not into clothes or makeup (or work part-time and spend their own money on those things), etc.

I also know boys who always need the most expensive sneakers and clothes, participate in extremely expensive sports, eat insane amounts of food, etc.

And vice versa.

You cannot generalize by gender. Also my guess is that if you strongly believe that girls cost more than boys, you will spend more on your girls than your boys because you have bought into the belief that this is how it is. But that's your own fault.

I was with you until the bolded. Now I am convinced boys are more expensive

I have definitely met teenage boys who eat several multiples what I eat every single day. If you've ever been in a house with multiple teenage boys, you know how fast food disappears. It's not their fault, puberty just requires a lot of calories for boys, but calories aren't free.