Gender reveal partiesexploded onto the scene in the 2000s, covering people in pink and blue confetti. And causing much controversy. The womancreditedwith starting the trend later said she regretted it, and felt she had “created a monster”. But it was too late. People continue to host elaborate parties, to announce to friends andfamilywhether they’ll be “buying toy cars or Barbies” for the next few years.
One woman shared how a recent gender reveal event took an unexpected turn the moment the parents-to-be found out they’d be having a girl. Their disappointment was so massive, the party ended in tears.Bored Pandareached out to the woman and she kindly agreed to tell us more. We also spoke toDr. Lindsay McMillan, a psychologist who specializes in gender disappointment.
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There are many ways to make the big announcement at your gender reveal party, should you choose to have one
For one couple, it was an envelope that contained a much unwanted surprise
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Image credits:Canva Studio / Pexels (not the actual photo)
The woman was surprised that her mother-in-law found the parents’ reactions funny
The woman told Bored Panda she decided to post about the party to see if other people also found the parents’ behavior weird. “My mother-in-law had told me the story while laughing, because she thought the reactions of the parents and grandmother were funny,” said the woman during our chat. “I personally found their reactions a little disturbing, and wanted to feel validated for thinking it was weird.”
The woman revealed in a separate online post that she’d had her fallopian tubes removed this year so that she remains child-free. Bored Panda asked her to elaborate a bit more on why she’s againsthaving children. “My biggest reason for being child-free is that I want to travel and have freedom. My childhood also wasn’t great and I don’t have the desire to raise kids nor the confidence to raise them the way they deserve,” she replied.
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“Gender disappointment is real”: an expert explains
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The expert added that it helps to have compassionate people around, who can help make sense of your feelings. It can be a partner, friend, family member or a mental health professional. “Remember, it’s okay to feel the way you do,” she said. “Finding the right support is an important step in navigating this often misunderstood, unspoken, and potentially isolating aspect of parenthood. You are not alone in this.”
Image credits:RDNE Stock project / Pexels (not the actual photo)
Many won’t openly admit to having gender disappointment
“It’s normal to have a gender preference. It’s the silence and the taboo that balloon it into a guilty secret,”saidMathur. “We all have our stories, histories and reasons, and some of them just take a little more making sense of than others.”
Karvunidis said she threw the party in 2008 because “we didn’t live in 2019 and didn’t know what we know now.” The mom added that “assigning focus on gender at birth leaves out so much of their potential and talents that have nothing to do with what’s between their legs.”
The woman gave some more info in response to curious netizens
“Misogyny begins at conception, it seems”: People came forth with their thoughts on the matter
Netizens felt inspired to share their own similar stories
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