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Do Koreans prefer son or daughter?

Published in Korean Family Preferences 1 min read

More parents in Korea now lean towards preferring daughters over sons.

Historically, Korean society strongly favored sons due to Confucian values emphasizing patrilineal succession and ancestor worship. Sons were traditionally responsible for continuing the family lineage, caring for elderly parents, and performing ancestral rites. However, societal values are evolving.

According to data from 2023, more parents in Korea now prefer daughters. For example, one 39-year-old mother in Suwon, Gyeonggi, already had two sons but specifically planned for a daughter with her husband, focusing on their health and diet to achieve this goal. This illustrates a shift in priorities, where the desire for a daughter can be a conscious and planned decision.

Factor Historical Preference Current Trend
Gender Preference Sons Daughters
Societal Values Confucianism Evolving family dynamics
Example Patrilineal Succession Planned pregnancy for a daughter

This shift does not mean sons are unwanted, but it reflects changing attitudes towards gender roles and family dynamics in modern Korea.