TAIPEI (TVBS News) — Taiwan's traditional preference for male children is rapidly shifting, with more parents now favoring daughters over sons, according to recent data and experts in family dynamics. The birth sex ratio in Taiwan has dropped significantly from 1.108 boys per girl two decades ago to 1.070 in 2024, indicating diminishing societal pressure to have male offspring.
"More parents today are excited about having baby girls," said Wang Tsui-ying (王翠瑛), CEO of a postpartum care center. "I've observed increasing enthusiasm among new parents about dressing up their daughters and engaging in traditionally feminine activities with them."
This shift occurs against the backdrop of Taiwan's struggling birthrate, which fell to 1.08 in 2022 before slightly rebounding to 1.11 in 2024. Experts predict 2025 could bring a new low in births across the island. Wang noted that having children at all has become the primary concern for many families. "These days, it's rare for couples to be willing to have children. Many grandparents are just happy to have grandchildren, regardless of gender," she said.
Kevin, a new father, expressed his preference for having a daughter. "Girls tend to be more well-behaved than boys," he said, reflecting a common perception among modern Taiwanese parents. Counseling psychologist Yeh Pei-chen (葉北辰) believes the shift stems from changing expectations about family relationships. "Parents today are more interested in emotional bonds rather than carrying on the family name. Many hope daughters will provide more care and patience in family relationships," Yeh explained.
Similarly, Statistics Korea data shows that South Korean women who considered having sons necessary plummeted from 48% in 1985 to just 6% in 2003. However, some experts caution that this new daughter preference may not represent true gender equality. British philosopher Arianne Shahvisi argues that expecting girls to be more caring or gentle perpetuates gender stereotypes in a different form.
In Taiwan, the preference may be linked to caregiving expectations. Government data from 2024 shows that 83.2% of home care workers are women, while earlier statistics from 2008-2010 found that 60.46% of family caregivers were female, with nearly half of care provided by sons or daughters. As Taiwan continues to navigate its demographic challenges, this evolving gender preference reflects broader social changes in family structures and expectations across East Asia.