It used to be that having a boy was fun for dads-- someone to play catch in the back yard with, someone to carry on the family name, a child who would play with bugs & Legos. Moms could teach their little girls to sew, cook, fix their hair & makeup, play dress up, etc.
But now, we live in a unisex world. Boys are told it's ok to wear dresses & makeup if they want. Girls are pressured (more than boys) to become doctors, lawyers, business women, and other professions that are traditionally male dominated. So I don't see how either has more pro's or con's than the other anymore. So why do you "desperately" want a boy? My friend was like, "I don't EVER want a daughter! This kid better be a boy" and sure enough, she now has a 13 month old daughter. She loves her to death & I'm sure she wouldn't ever wish her next child was a certain gender.