A concerned mother shares her story about her husband’s behavior towards their 6-year-old daughter, Lily. From the moment she was born, the father seemed disappointed that she wasn’t a son. As Lily grows up, her father engages her in traditionally masculine activities, but his recent actions have the mother questioning if he resents their daughter.
Expecting a Son, Getting a Daughter

Daddy-Daughter Activities

Tough Love or Something More?

Discovering Her Feminine Side

Dad’s Harsh Reaction

Confronting the Issue ️

Defensive Dad ️

A Mother’s Concern Grows
As the father continues to engage Lily in masculine activities and discourages her feminine interests, the mother can’t help but wonder if he resents their daughter for not being a son. Despite confronting him about his behavior, the father denies any resentment and accuses the mother of being paranoid. What do you think? Share your thoughts and reactions below.
Encouraging reflection on implicit biases and gender stereotypes.

Encourage gender-neutral parenting and validate children’s interests.

Toxic masculinity alert! Dad needs to address his insecurities ASAP

Engaging dad embraces his daughter’s interests and personality.

Challenging gender norms: NTA for asking valid questions

Dad’s overreaction to daughter’s request for painting nails.

Father’s toxic masculinity hurts daughter’s innocent joy. Keep calling out.

Encouraging acceptance of gender identity and nail painting.
![Image credit: [deleted] | [deleted]](https://static.diply.com/6e156709-10c2-453b-bf9d-dc38ef1435d0.png)
Encouraging empathy and communication for a strained father-daughter relationship.

Father’s toxic masculinity hurts daughter’s trust and love.

Parenting advice: Let kids express emotions without shame.

Breaking toxic masculinity: Daughter’s husband sets an example.

Breaking toxic masculinity: Daughter stands up to dad’s overreaction

NTA. Husband blaming wife for daughter’s gender. Reminder: he’s responsible.

Breaking gender norms: A heartwarming story ❤

Commenter calls out dad’s behavior, supports daughter.

Memories last a lifetime, even for a 6-year-old
![Image credit: [deleted] | [deleted]](https://static.diply.com/e2daab65-393d-499a-b1f6-fdb337c88553.png)
Breaking down toxic masculinity and gender stereotypes in parenting.

Agreeing with NTA verdict and OP’s analysis

Father-daughter bonding over hair accessories, husband needs to lighten up

Husband’s resentment towards daughter could harm her self-esteem.

Mother defends daughter’s place in family against husband’s favoritism.

Breaking gender norms, this parent embraces their child’s individuality.

Dad’s disappointment impacting daughter, NTA suggests therapy
![Image credit: [deleted] | [deleted]](https://static.diply.com/461a2984-89de-4a44-9a33-fca517cbc530.png)
Daughter’s interests shut down by dad, leading to resentment.

Breaking down internalized misogyny in father-daughter relationships

Breaking gender norms: a heartwarming ‘girl dad’ moment

Fair question: Is dad resenting daughter? NTA suggests discussion.

Father’s gender bias affecting daughter’s self-worth, therapy recommended

Father’s refusal for therapy may harm daughter’s mental health

Dad’s nails painted? NTA overreaction sparks debate
![Image credit: [deleted] | [deleted]](https://static.diply.com/2f2825be-5349-4b11-9959-c0ade4e19a91.png)
Encourage your daughter’s creativity and bond with her through it

Spouse called out for bad behavior, NTA comment section

Father risks losing daughter if he doesn’t change his behavior

Protect your daughter from toxic and abusive behavior
![Image credit: [deleted] | [deleted]](https://static.diply.com/41a3ee3d-5e8f-4828-86ce-475958791536.png)
Breaking gender stereotypes: A male perspective on parenting ✌️

Protect your daughter and seek family therapy.
![Image credit: [deleted] | [deleted]](https://static.diply.com/abfe47e3-c160-468a-a799-83a8c3712e05.png)
No a-hole here! Share your thoughts on the situation.

Agreement with no drama.

Breaking gender norms can create fond memories with loved ones

Daughter relates to OP’s experience, warns of potential resentment towards dad.

Breaking gender stereotypes: Daughter’s acceptance of dad’s disappointment.

Breaking gender stereotypes and embracing all interests.

Raising girls to be independent leads to confident and happy women

Father’s behavior may negatively impact daughter’s self-image and development.

Breaking gender norms can be a great bonding experience . Validating your concern NTA.

Toxic masculinity affecting father-daughter relationship

Supportive dad embraces his daughters’ interests with no resentment

Father’s rejection of bonding activity with daughter sparks debate

Parenting is a package deal , not just the fun parts.

Parental gender expectations can have lasting impacts on children.

Father’s gender bias towards daughter causing concern for future sons.

Toxic masculinity alert! Daughter’s NTA, dad needs help

Gender biases causing issues between father and daughter.

Gender roles and insecurities in father-daughter relationship

Addressing sexism in the family for daughter’s well-being

Breaking gender norms is okay, husband needs to apologize.

Father-daughter bonding over nails and power tools. NTA wins!

Father’s love questioned, husband’s bias exposed. NTA wins.

Supporting daughter’s femininity against husband’s misogyny. #NTA

Protecting daughters from growing up too fast

Breaking gender norms: a father’s disappointment and one mom’s response
![Image credit: [deleted] | [deleted]](https://static.diply.com/4f4bcb06-6ac3-4fb4-bc34-ba6f3b73b517.png)
Sports can be beneficial for daughters too! NTA.

Dad’s priorities questioned for not wanting nails painted

Breaking down misogyny in parenting
![Image credit: [deleted] | [deleted]](https://static.diply.com/311332f4-57ef-4a43-8fe4-337f4025aafc.png)
Step dad wears pink ice cream nail, husband can paint nails

Breaking gender stereotypes: A daughter’s struggle with her father’s expectations

Enabling toxic behavior can lead to a lifetime of issues

Acknowledging the issue but failing to protect daughter.

Defending a father’s parenting choices against Reddit backlash

Encourage self-care with a Daddy Daughter pedicure day

Encouraging communication and empathy with daughter’s emotional expression

Toxic masculinity and invalidating feelings? Not cool, parents.

Dad’s outdated views on masculinity and emotional dismissal explained

Dad rejects daughter’s manicure request, called out for being disgusting.
