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Are boys more expensive?

Clothing and schooling costs seem to put boys in a higher bracket.

By Adele Farmer

Pic: iStockphoto.com

Article originally in Parent24

"I've always wanted a son." I said haphazardly the other day at my desk. "They're more fun, they're good and gruwelik and they're cheaper. There aren't all those extra hair clips and accessory 'must haves' to buy."
"Erm… actually…", said Adele, well of wisdom and mother of two boys. "Boys, I think, are more expensive than girls. They have all that extra sport kit to get…"
"…And uniforms and boys' clothing is just more expensive. Think about what a boy's jacket costs as opposed to a girls' jacket." finished off Zayaan.

And I did think about it. And asked some questions… According to Woolworths' buyer for Children's wear, Anton Peters, buying for boys is more expensive. Not only do the "blocks" (squares of fabric that little boys' clothing get cut from) cost more but the embellishments on the garment are often more expensive. That "stressed" look on a cargo pants takes a couple of washes to achieve along with that mock cowboy buckle and cargo pants' pockets. Boys' clothing is also made to be more durable so the material itself costs more. Compare that to the little tank top with printed flower detail that Janey wears and you'll see why Johnny's mommy is spending a little more to clothe her son.

And that's just the clothing! The results of the Parent24 2009 survey show that: "A significant relationship was found between the number of children in a family and parental ratings of how important fees are." Unsurprisingly the more kids you have the more likely you are to moan about school fees being expensive. Also the less wealthy you are you're also more likely to rate fees as important. But here's the kicker…"Parents with at least one boy in the family were more likely to say fees were very important. This was the case even when controlling for the number of children in the family and the income of the parent." What does this mean? Is it possible that perhaps boys’ schooling is also more expensive?

So maybe boys are still more fun – but perhaps you're paying for the privilege?

What do you think? Do boys cost more?

The Parent24 2009 survey had more than 8000 responses. The survey, weighted by gender, race and education, represents approximately 7 million metropolitan adults educated to the level of at least matric, across South Africa. For more about the methodology and for results analysis by Jean Redpath and Michael O’Donovan of Hlakanaphila Analytics, download the Parent24 2009 survey PDF. Or see full results.

Read more on: boy son child cost finance money pay

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Alison

8/19/2009 12:39 PM

My son is 15, and apart from growing out of his clothes, I dont find the price of the clothes much different than if I was buying for a girl. He is quite happy with jeans, baggies, t-shirts, and cargo shorts, and he is quite happy with the togs bought without brand names. Hows that for lucky!!

jules

8/19/2009 10:02 AM

my boy is 5 and he cost me a fortune, since winter came in, I have bought him 4 pairs of takkies and guess what i think only 1 pair is still decent enough to wear. Jeans - he has 3 and 1 is torn at the knees, he had 7 prs of socks, he now has 4 prs left and winter isn't over yet. Their clothes have to be Ben10, Spider Man etc. which is not cheap. What about the toys, their toys is more expensive than Barbie dolls, BUT i love him to bits and would not trade him for a girl.

mapule4eva

6/24/2009 10:42 AM

I agree boy's fashion not an issue but really their clothing cost my boy is 2yrs espcially the shoes they are more expensive than cloths ,even food cost.

myweapon

6/23/2009 1:41 PM

personally i think boys i not that expensive, mine is a year old compare to girls.. with girls u have to keep up with the latest fashion, and boys fashion is not an issue.

johnny

6/23/2009 12:53 PM

Have pity on me... I have twin boys! :-)

carmen

6/22/2009 8:03 PM

boys are also more prone to fads.... if its not gormitti, then its match attacks and now bakugan. just when you think you have got the whole collection, there is either a 2nd ( and 3rd series), or the whole fad changes. Shoes are also a huge expense. Boys are just harder on their shoes. and also more careless with school uniform items. Still, got to love em.

SarahJane

6/22/2009 1:09 PM

I have 2 boys, aged 4 and 2. I don't find that their clothes are THAT much more expensive than girls, but the toys they prefer sure are! I am also frustrated at how little variety there is as far as clothes are concerned. No matter which shop you go into, you will see rack upon rack of girls clothes, with maybe 4 of 5 racks for boys (all ages included, so even if you found something you like, chances are ... they wont have the size you're after!) I dont see how boys education could be more expensive than girls, school fees are school fees, regardless of gender. As for the sports gear? Girls tennis rackets and hockey sticks cost just as much as boys do, and netball skirts are definately NOT cheap! As a mother of 2 boys, I can attest however, to the fact that boys are more fun. They make me laugh everyday at their numerous and varied antics. I also suffer the same amount of heart attacks on a daily basis, but I wouldn't change it for the gold in the world, my boys are precious!

Dawn Motloheloa

6/22/2009 12:39 PM

I'm expecting a son in September and I just had to read this article. Now my heart is beating two paces faster with future years worries. Nontheless, I'm thrilled that I'm having a boy & that just puts a smile on my face.

HJH

6/22/2009 12:29 PM

Well, if parents stop buying those fashionable clothes THEY want(most boys would go starkers if mother didn't dress them) then the cost comes crashing down. Plain old T-shirts and pants(what I wore when I was a wee lad) is cheaper. I cant see that you pay more in school fees for boys than girls. I never saw the less privileged schools(Black schools if you must know) piching at the cricket games between us with a kit a player, they usually shared the schools pads, bats and such, so there is no need than little Jonny in 1st grade needs a R5000 cricket kit. You can only get him the items that good hygiene permits not to share.

Megan Murray

6/22/2009 12:08 PM

Absolutely! and don't forget to factor in the cost of the quantities of food that they will consume as teenagers that girls definitely won't. I have two boys 3 and 5 1/2, and the food costs are scary enough as it is!

Pnut

6/22/2009 12:04 PM

I agree. My kid takes a lot of moola and he's still only 6. I can't imagine what he'll cost when he's at school.

Mig

6/22/2009 11:57 AM

Most definitely!! I am 24 now and had this conversation with my folks the other day. I have a sister who is 2 years older than i am. She was/is a model and got tons of clothing etc when growing up. also all the traveling cost to go with her to shows and and and... Boys only really get expensive when they hit Matric and varsity. I had 3 car accidents in my first 2 years of studying. That alone totaled to more then a lifetime of my sisters clothes :-(. We also eat much more than woman do so your food cost are more. Now i know the article is really aimed at much younger children but prepare yourself for the future. They say money cant buy Love.....but it sure keeps your children in touch with you :-)