No matter how many times a parent may claim they don't have a favourite child, research has indicated preferential treatment does take place.

A meta‑analysis published in Psychological Bulletin - drawing on data from more than 19,000 people across 30 studies in the US, Canada and Western Europe between 2015 and 2022 found that daughters were preferred. 

Therapist Jo Robertson says this research can be interpreted in many ways.

"A lot of research shows that what we ask of our girls is different to what we ask of our sons. So I think it becomes a self-fulfilling prophecy." 

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No matter how many times a parent may claim they don't have a favourite child, research has indicated preferential treatment does take place.
A meta‑analysis published in Psychological Bulletin - drawing on data from more than 19,000 people across 30 studies in the US, Canada and Western Europe between 2015 and 2022 found that daughters were preferred.&nbsp;
Therapist Jo Robertson says this research can be interpreted in many ways.
"A lot of research shows that what we ask of our girls is different to what we ask of our sons. So I think it becomes a self-fulfilling prophecy."&nbsp;
LISTEN ABOVE

With a straight down the middle approach, Heather du Plessis-Allan Drive on Newstalk ZB delivers the very latest news and views to New Zealanders as they wrap up their day.

Heather du Plessis-Allan Drive

Jo Robertson: therapist on the research that parents do have a favourite child

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/7784f840-c291-422a-924b-ad9000bbad71/clips/11705ab4-597e-4130-94f0-b41f0057f292/transcript