It's a Girl ...probably
Here's a two things I anecdotally learned about Japanese childbirth customs:1. They do not seem as obsessed with knowing the sex of the baby. In the US it's common to know at around the 5th or 6th month (apparently), but in Japan they usually don't even check until the 8th month. It's been a struggle getting the wife's doctors to comply with our REPEATED requests to check on the baby's gender. I guess her doctors feel rather put out by all the requests and have rudely brushed off the questions until now. They couldn't really tell for certain because the baby's legs were closed, but they are 60% certain it is a girl. If so, the Beijing baby chart is right again.
2. They do not use the "blue for boys, pink for girls" theme when dressing the baby or decorating his/her room.
So, ...it's a girl. Me, the father of a girl.
It's odd, but I can now see how people feel that women have fewer chances to succeed in the business world. Looking at demographics and using common sense you can see that this is rapidly changing, but I can't help feeling differently towards the future of a potential girl than a potential boy.
When I thought about having a boy, I immediately thought of his future, the opportunities he will have, ...the potential to hold positions of power. I also thought of the sporting events we would watch and attend along with his grandfather. The car shopping, movie watching, knowledge imparting, ...watching him play a sport, receive a diploma, write a book, ...succeed. Whatever he would do, I just want him to succeed.
But when I think of a girl, ...my thoughts come to whom she will one day marry.
I also think of her and my wife shopping, running off and doing girl things while I watch the game on tv alone. I think of buying her a car that is really really really safe and has NO backseat! I think of medical school, law school, grandchildren ...but I do not think of positions of power. Marriage and kids. That's what I think of. I immediately assume her income will be the "2nd income" in her family, next to and below her husbands.
I know thing don't have to be this way. I'll make sure she grows up knowing the same.
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