Having a baby in 2019 can come with a lot pageantry, at least that's how it seems on social media.
For couples, usually first is the pregnancy announcement. Then there are some weekly to monthly progress photos. The progress photos track the growth of the "bump" and compare the unborn child usually to a large piece of fruit. Watermelons are the most popular from what I have seen. After the soon-to-be parents learn the sex of the baby, then comes the general reveal.
If you've ever browsed Facebook, Instagram or Youtube, you've probably seen photos of videos from expecting parents' gender reveals. Generally, these reveals are full-on parties centered around the special moment when the parents shoot confetti out of a balloon, cut open a cake, or even set off fireworks to find out if they are having a boy or girl.
The History
In the past, couples have hosted such functions, but the idea of a gender reveal party became a phenomenon more recently as social media progressed. But when did gender reveal parties become a popular trend?
Google Trends is easily one of the best places online to spot rising trends. Prior to June 2010, the term "gender reveal parties" had a search of 0, but around early 2011 the search for gender reveal parties really spiked. The next big peak was in May 2015, and in May 2017 searches for gender reveal parties was at the highest it had ever been.
https://bumpreveal.com/blogs/content/when-did-gender-reveal-parties-start-getting-popular
For the time being, gender reveals are an American anomaly. The trend is most popular in the United States, but it has also gained interest in Puerto Rico, Australia, Canada and New Zealand.
Many gender reveals have reached millions of viewers on Youtube, and have gone viral across the internet. Some of my personal favorites are the ballon-fake wig prank and the dancing baby video.
Reasons for the spike in the trend
There are a lot of explanations for the increasing popularity of gender reveals. In today's society, it is a lot easier for parents to find out the sex of their unborn child earlier during the pregnancy. The technology today is more accurate, and it gives the parents the opportunity to throw a themed party for the reveal.
The power of social media is also a huge reason for the upward trend. For example, popular Youtube bloggers caught on to the trend and started making their own gender reveal videos. Social media platforms like Facebook, Instagram, and Pinterest made the videos even more popular and more people aware of them. The more people saw the videos online across social media, the more likely they are the participate in the ritual.
As they have become more popular, the videos have seemed have a more competitive element as well. Social media has only boosted the competition. As the videos have become more widespread, parents seem more determined one one-upping each other with more overdone and decorated celebrations.
In Louisiana, expectant parents used a live alligator to help reveal the gender of their child. Parents have also used smoke bombs, Brad Paisley and even jumping out of airplanes to reveal the big news. What will be next?
