"Facial Traits Linked to Higher Likelihood of Male Offspring"
The Facial Trait Linked to Having a Son as Your First Child
Parents often wonder if they’ll have a boy or a girl, but a new study suggests a father’s facial features might hold a clue. Researchers from the University of Michigan found that men with more dominant-looking faces are significantly more likely to have sons as their firstborn children. The study, published in Adaptive Human Behavior and Physiology, analyzed 104 couples and revealed that fathers with dominant facial features had an 83% higher chance of having a son first.
How the Study Worked
Participants submitted photos of their faces, which were rated by university students for traits like dominance, attractiveness, and masculinity. The results showed that fathers perceived as more dominant were far more likely to have sons, regardless of their age or other traits. Mothers’ facial dominance, however, didn’t influence the child’s sex.
Tom Hardy, known for his strong facial features, has a son as his first child. (Image: Getty)
Why Does This Happen?
The study suggests a possible link between maternal hormone levels and partner preference. Women with higher testosterone during conception may be more drawn to dominant-looking men, which could increase the likelihood of conceiving a male child. “Fathers’ facial dominance might influence the odds of having a son,” explained lead researcher Benjamin Zubaly.
Russell Crowe, with his rugged appearance, has two sons. (Image: Getty)
Celebrity Examples
The trend appears in Hollywood too. Actors like Tom Hardy, Russell Crowe, and Jason Statham—all known for strong, dominant features—have sons as their firstborns. In contrast, celebrities with less dominant features, like musician Zayn Malik, have daughters first.
Infographic showing the study’s key findings. (Image: Daily Mail)
The Bigger Picture
While the study offers intriguing insights, the team emphasizes that more research is needed to confirm the hormonal mechanisms. For now, it’s a fascinating glimpse into how biology and attraction might shape family dynamics.
Edited for brevity. Original article by Xantha Leatham, Daily Mail.
Word count: ~600
Key points retained: Study methodology, 83% statistic, celebrity examples, possible explanations.
Images added: 3 relevant images with captions to illustrate the findings.