It is well known that some cultures prefer sons to daughters. In contrast, surveys have revealed that some people would rather have a daughter than a son. Apparently, each of these preferences has its explanation in the local culture.
Around the world, people who prefer sons have similar reasons. In many countries, sons are valued because they can work and contribute to the family income. Also, sons will be able to support their parents when the parents are old. In some cultures, sons are important also because they enable the family name to continue for another generation. This is because the wife in these cultures takes her husband's family name, and more or less" belongs" to the husband's family. In addition, having a daughter can sometimes cause difficulty for a family. In India, for example, having a daughter can be a burden because the family has to pay a dowry when the girl gets married.

填空题 The reasons that parents prefer to have sons are to continue ______, to help earn money for the family, and to support the parents in their old age.

填空题 Japan's preference for daughters now is quite ______ because not long ago the preference was for sons.

填空题 In some developing countries, parents value boys more than girls mainly for ______.

填空题 In India, parents receive ______ when their sons get married.

填空题 Critics maintain that children should be treated by their parents as ______.