Male vs. Female Children Americans will generally say that if they are going to have a child they will be happy no matter what the child's sex, as long as the child is healthy. There is no open, general preference for male children. Educated Americans will usually try to avoid conveying the idea to their children that males are naturally more dominant, and females more submissive, and that certain social roles are only for males while others are only for females. Visitors from abroad will notice considerable debate and comment on the status of women in American society. Depriving a misbehaving child of something the child wants is acceptable.
Physical punishment is acceptable, but only within certain limits.
Punishment that leaves a mark or causes a wound or injury is not only unacceptable, but is illegal. Parents who harm their children, even though the purpose is to discipline them, can be arrested for child abuse. Americans do not generally have that expectation. A child's behavior is considered to be the business of the parents alone, or of the babysitter or other person left in charge of the child while the parents are away. In these situations the unrelated adult would act to stop the threat of harm, but would not administer any punishment.