
Almost every woman I know wishes to be pregnant with a baby girl.
I regularly read stories about how women travel to the United States and take out a second mortgage, all to ensure they give birth to a daughter.
Women who go for the third child, hoping it will be a little girl after two sons.
Read more: How to influence the gender of your baby.
There is nothing wrong with these women. It’s just that for a long time, I felt very alone in not wanting to ever be pregnant with a girl. In some ways, I still don’t.
Before your blood starts boiling, let me explain.
When I found out I was pregnant, every thought I’ve ever had about what gender baby I wanted disappeared. People would ask me what I was hoping for. They didn’t believe me when I said I didn’t mind. But I genuinely just wanted a healthy baby.
When I found out that I was pregnant with a girl, I wasn't disappointed. I was happy. I was ecstatic. Not because I was pregnant with a girl. But because the same result said she was healthy. And yes, I started thinking of all the pink and glitter.
But before I fell pregnant, I only wanted boys.
Not because I particularly like baby boys more than baby girls.
I just don't think the world is the best place for girls at the moment.
My pessimist mind has me convinced that by the time my daughter grows up... there won't be much change from today.
I'm talking about the issues girls and women face.
The fact that women are more likely to suffer domestic violence. Despite funding and attention going towards reducing this, I don't see it gone by the time my daughter marries.
How when a woman is attacked everyone's first question is what she was doing to get attacked. Did she have earphones in blasting music? Was she walking alone? Did she wear a pony tail (apparently, easier to pull than a bun - insert eye roll)? We are still talking about changing the conversation from victim blaming to just stopping some men's thinking that they have a right to attack any woman of their choosing.
Cat-calling. Because there is nothing more self-esteem boosting than a complete stranger yelling at you on the street about how much they want you.
The too many photos of high-powered people...mainly men...with one woman in it. Giving a clear example of how the world sees leaders. Or that we think it is ah-mazing when a woman makes it as CEO or President. Why is this amazing? Why isn't this just normal?
