“Harvard Study Reveals Surprising Insights: Is Your Baby’s Gender More Than Just Chance?” – The Boston Globe

Recent research has shed light on factors influencing a child’s sex, focusing particularly on the mother’s age. A study involving over 58,000 women and their children shows that women who give birth after age 28 are more likely to have children of the same sex.

Dr. Bernard Rosner, a co-author of the study, emphasizes that while this pattern is intriguing, it doesn’t guarantee that any specific individual will have a boy or a girl. Instead, the findings suggest there are trends rather than random outcomes.

Many theories exist about what determines a baby’s sex. Some even claim that attractive parents are more likely to have daughters, while taller parents may lean towards having sons. Other suggestions point towards biological factors, like the mother’s vaginal pH or hormonal levels during conception.

The significance of maternal age was clear in this study. For instance, the probability of a woman with three sons having another boy is about 61%, while for daughters, it’s around 58%. This prompts questions about what connects age with these trends.

Experts such as Emily Barrett, a public health professor, are curious why older mothers tend to have children of the same sex. One explanation might be that older mothers are often more established in their careers, which might change their biological makeup.

Another expert, Andrey Rzhetsky, notes that understanding this topic requires considering both genetic and environmental factors. He points out that things like pollution could influence sex ratios at a national level.

While the study’s authors did not examine the father’s impact on a child’s sex, they recognize that older maternal age often goes hand-in-hand with older paternal age.

It’s crucial to note that this research is not intended to predict or manipulate a child’s sex. Instead, it opens the door for further exploration into how maternal influences might play a role.

For additional insights, you can read the original study published in the Science Advances journal here.

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