Daughters

Having a daughter increases a couple's chance of divorce by five percent, and with each additional daughter the risk goes up. This might lead you to believe that daughters add extra stress on their parents, but experts say the opposite is true, and in fact, a daughter's supportive role can explain why her parents might divorce.

One psychologist explains, "A conclusion we might draw is that wives with daughters are less likely to stay with their husbands because they know that with a girl, they'll never be lonely or without help." Perhaps women, who file 75 percent of divorces, have less of a reason to stay in an undesirable relationship because they know that they have daughters to fill the emotional void. This theory fits with findings we've seen before: girls with brothers don't grow up as fast as their brotherless peers, partly because they have to assume caretaking roles for their brothers. There seems to be evidence that daughters offer significant emotional and social support for their families, almost acting like third parents.

But what if we phrased this question a different way: why are couples with sons less likely to divorce? While it may be about avoiding loneliness, couldn't it also be that parents want the son to grow up with a male role model? If mothers often get custody, a daughter will have a female role model, but a son wouldn't necessarily live with a father figure. We can debate the merits of gender-based role models, but might this be a consideration?

Who's your daddy? Is he anything like you? We all take traits from our parents, both good and bad. This week, in honor of Father's Day this Sunday (did you buy a card yet at least?), I'm wondering what your father gave you in terms of personality quirks, physical characteristics, and other common bonds. The answers ranged from a shared love of Tolkien to traits you wish you could shed. Here are some of the most fascinating answers.

• I'm a little female clone of my dad! We have the same face, same frame, same blue eyes and really light skin . . . we also have the same propensity to break bones, which sucks, and the same need for alone time. My daughter is a little female clone of HER dad, too. — Girl Jen
• When I was a child, I was playing Nintendo, and my dad came in from a run all sweaty. I remember thinking to myself, "I'll never be that boring! It's all he ever talks about!" Now, I also have a deep passion for running, the joke was on me! — spacekatgal

Read on for six more, good and bad.

The relationship between mothers and their daughters is an incredibly strong one. Moms raising girls have the power to shape the next generation of women and those to come by teaching their kids important lessons.

1. That confidence and independence are beautiful.
2. That size doesn't matter, but wasting her time worrying about it does.
3. That brilliance should never be downplayed.
4. That emotions are liberating so she should go ahead and laugh, cry or scream.
5. To always have enough money to pay her own way, but to be gracious when someone else treats. And to be generous with what she has.
6. To not make age an excuse for her actions.
7. That "mean girls" are really just insecure.
8. That she has an amazing power to make a difference in life.
9. To actively pursue her dreams especially those that seem unattainable.
10. That the love she will give and receive is limitless.