Couples chance of baby boy increases with celebration, inebriation

A new study in the journal Early Human Development suggests events (read: celebrations) increases the chances of a couple having a baby boy nine months later.

It found specifically in the US that the yearly pop culture phenomenon known as Super Bowl Sunday influences the male-to-female birth ratio, causing more males to be born.

The Nigerian equivalent of Super Bowl would be, say, the African Cup?

Celebratory events that lead to increased coital activity have been shown to cause a rise in male births nine months later, because conception occurs closer to the start of the menstrual cycle, increasing the odds of male births.

Stressful events (earthquake or terrorist attacks, anyone) cause a drop in male births and a rise in female births.

Explanation? The human female may have evolved the ability to spontaneously terminate weaker fetuses when experiencing stressful conditions. These losses are usually male, as they require more maternal resources in order to reach full term.

The researchers analysed 53 million births going back 2003-2015 and concluded, “It is possible that increased coital rates during [Super Bowl] (perhaps due to a combination of celebration and inebriation) may result in” rise in male-to-female ratio nine months later observed in this study.