Indeed, many men do successfully become more verbally affectionate with their fathers or their sons. There's an important lesson here, though: Many male relationships are already richer and more meaningful than they appear to be. And the unique way men relate to one another deserves to be honored rather than belittled.

Do fathers prefer sons or daughters?

At least since 1941, men have told pollsters by more than a two-to-one margin that they would rather have a boy. Women have only a slight preference for daughters. Taking all of this evidence together, the authors conclude that parents in the United States do have a preference for boys over girls.

How fathers affect their sons?

Children with involved fathers grow up to have more successful relationships, stronger social skills, greater self-control, higher self-esteem and are more likely to do well at school.