It will come as a bit of a surprise to many parents, but having a son can really be a tougher task.
Scientists say having boys ages your brain faster. A study of more than 13,000 50-year-olds in the US found that parents with at least one son experienced faster cognitive decline than those who did not.
THOSE WHO HAVE MORE THAN ONE BOY…
And those who had more than one son lost their cognitive abilities faster than those who had only daughters.
They suggested that girls may be more likely to care for their parents and offer emotional support later in life, helping them stay healthier as they get older.
Meanwhile, those with boys may be less likely to lead a healthy lifestyle.
For example, research shows that parents of girls are less likely to drink alcohol, drugs, and smoke, while mothers of sons are more likely to be overweight.
HOW WAS THE STUDY DONE?
The team, made up of Charles University in Prague and Columbia University in New York, collected data from an ongoing study that followed more than 30,000 over 50s and their spouses. 13,222 parents followed for approximately 14 years were eligible for the current study.