I was thinking about this during Obama’s inauguration. I think you have to go back to Bush Sr. to find a president who sired a son, yes? And then there was Ron Jr. and I’m pretty sure Carter had a son or two, but were there any First Sons since JFK Jr. actually living in the White House as children? Interesting? Yes? No?
The Fords had 3 sons (Jack, Michael, Steven) and a daughter (Susan), but only Susan lived in the White House IIRC. The others were in college or older still.
Reagan’s sons Ron and Michael were grown by the time of his presidency.
Same with Bush’s sons Jeb, Marvin, and W.
The Carter sons were James III, Donnell and John, but I honestly do not remember thing 1 about any of them. Only Amy lived in the WH IIRC.
Ron Regan and Jeff Carter were just out of college when their fathers got elected. Most presidents tend to be at least 50 so that means their kids are typically at least college age. Clinton and Obama were young enough to have kids still in school. Amy Carter was born when Jimmy was 43 so that is why she was young enough to live in the White House. (he was elected at 52)
If they did have more daughters, then that would be contrary to what would be predicted. If the balance where skewed towards one, I would expect males based upon the Trivers-Willard hypothesis.
I think Ford’s youngest son lived in the WH. Didn’t he and Susan sometimes play pranks on their Secret Service detail?
Ford’s youngest son was 18 when he took office so he was probably in college during the 2 years Ford was in office. He could have stayed at the WH during college breaks.
Since I’m bored I did a little math using Wikipedia’s List of children of the Presidents of the United States.
I counted biological children of the Presidents (no stepchildren or adopted children) born alive (John Adams, Martin Van Buren, and JFK each had one stillborn child, all female). Children who did not survive childhood are included, as are children born after leaving office.
All Presidents
Total=158
Daughters=75 (47%)
Last 100 years
Total=50
Daughters=23 (46%)
Last 50 years
Total=32
Daughters=16 (50%)
edit: nevermind
Nice work! Can you run the same calculations for daughters who actually lived in the WH? Excluding being home for college breaks, I think we have to go back to JFK, Jr. to find a son who lived in the WH.
The Kennedys had two stillborn children, alas, a daughter and a son: Patrick Bouvier Kennedy - Wikipedia
Patrick wasn’t stillborn, he lived two days.
Hirundo82 data makes me think that there might be an issue regarding media coverage of presidential daughters. They might get more attention for various good reasons (note especially the Nixon daughters’ weddings). But also daughters might just plain be considered more “interesting” to the media. Hence they stick in our memories more.
So that’s nearly half, right? 
Great work! Thank you very much.
i do remember that at ford’s funeral, carter mentioned, that both men had 3 sons. then their prayers were answered (or some such, can’t remember the exact phrasing) and they had daughters. he nodded at susan ford. one of her brothers shoulder bumped her, and smiled at her. it was a really sweet moment. and summed up the way the 2 men looked at their youngest.
perhaps that is it. the father’s relationship with the daughters is why it sticks in the mind.