{"version":"1.0","type":"rich","provider_name":"Acast","provider_url":"https://acast.com","height":250,"width":700,"html":"<iframe src=\"https://embed.acast.com/$/d556eb54-6160-4c85-95f4-47d9f5216c49/6849425886b5e77739c854c0?\" frameBorder=\"0\" width=\"700\" height=\"250\"></iframe>","title":"Golden girls: do parents prefer them? ","thumbnail_width":200,"thumbnail_height":200,"thumbnail_url":"https://open-images.acast.com/shows/62e286a934d4d93d6587424a/1749631558701-4c44b5ef-a9a7-410e-80a6-0456a1af9126.jpeg?height=200","description":"<p>For centuries, male children were prized as heirs and breadwinners. Now the <a href=\"https://www.economist.com/leaders/2025/06/05/the-stunning-decline-of-the-preference-for-having-boys?utm_campaign=a.io&amp;utm_medium=audio.podcast.np&amp;utm_source=theintelligence&amp;utm_content=discovery.content.anonymous.tr_shownotes_na-na_article&amp;utm_term=sa.listeners\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" target=\"_blank\">desire to have boys</a> is diminishing and some parents would rather have a girl. What Germany’s expanded <a href=\"https://www.economist.com/europe/2025/06/04/germany-is-building-a-big-scary-army?utm_campaign=a.io&amp;utm_medium=audio.podcast.np&amp;utm_source=theintelligence&amp;utm_content=discovery.content.anonymous.tr_shownotes_na-na_article&amp;utm_term=sa.listeners\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" target=\"_blank\">armed forces</a> mean for Europe. And if coffee can benefit your health, <a href=\"https://www.economist.com/science-and-technology/2025/05/30/how-much-coffee-is-too-much?utm_campaign=a.io&amp;utm_medium=audio.podcast.np&amp;utm_source=theintelligence&amp;utm_content=discovery.content.anonymous.tr_shownotes_na-na_article&amp;utm_term=sa.listeners\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" target=\"_blank\">how many mugs</a> should you consume a day?&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;</p><p><br></p><p><em>Listen to what matters most, from global politics and business to science and technology—</em><a href=\"https://subscribenow.economist.com/podcasts-plus\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" target=\"_blank\"><em>Subscribe to Economist Podcasts+</em></a></p><p><br></p><p><em>For more information about how to access Economist Podcasts+, please visit our </em><a href=\"https://myaccount.economist.com/s/article/What-is-Economist-Podcasts\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" target=\"_blank\"><em>FAQs page</em></a><em> or watch </em><a href=\"https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Gczo71bg1uY\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" target=\"_blank\"><em>our video</em></a><em> explaining how to link your account.&nbsp;</em></p><p><br></p><p><br></p>","author_name":"The Economist"}