Did the gender of delegates' children influence their votes at the 1787 Constitutional Convention? This study leverages a natural experiment to examine how child gender affected founders' voting preferences. We hypothesize that fathers with sons favored stronger national government, envisioning opportunities for their boys in America's future expansion.
Data & Methods: New dataset on delegates' children provides unprecedented insights into this historical puzzle. Statistical analysis quantifies the relationship between delegates' offspring and political stances.
Key Findings:Statistically significant results show that having sons predicted support for a stronger central government, while daughters were associated with preference for looser constraints.
Real-World Relevance: These findings suggest subtle family dynamics may have shaped the US Constitution's development.
