This study analyses the effect of gender and birth order of fifty-eight 3-month-old
first- and laterborn boys and girls on parental treatment. Presence of parents,
maternal primary care, and maternal and paternal facial exchange with the baby were
assessed during videotaped observation sessions equivalent to a full day. The data
reveal a sound birth rank effect, indicating that firstborns are preferred over
laterborns in several respects: presence of mothers, presence of fathers, and
father’s face-to-face behaviour when the mother is also present. With
respect to gender differences, mothers prefer their daughters in terms of presence
and primary care. Fathers prefer their sons in terms of presence. Unexpectedly,
fathers prefer their daughters in terms of face-to-face exchange. The social context
of fathers’ and mothers’ joint presence reveals the only
interaction effect between gender and birth order with the preference of firstborn
boys. The findings are related to previous research results as well as evolutionary
considerations about parental investment.
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