Obsession with finding a heir?

Question

I know that monarchs want heirs so that their bloodline can stay in power and rule their country, or do whatever job they do. But how has that obsession with finding a heir changed over the centuries? And what are the contributing factors to that?

Answer 1

Nowdays, as more and more royal families embraces the fully equal primogeniture, cognatic primogeniture will be a history in the past. These older traditions are being reformed so that discrimination of gender is eliminated. Both male and female are treated "equally" and given the equal opportunity to become the future "head of state."

The change from cognatic primogeniture to equal primogeniture usually happens whenever the country runs into succession crisis. Therefore, it only adapts such a system when the King or Queen fails to produce a male heir, and only female heiresses. For example, Spain and Japan both are debating whether to change its succession law only after the country was left in "succession crisis." Princess Letizia of Spain gave birth to two girls, and Princess Masako finally gave birth to one girl after eight years, and it is very unlikely she will try for another one.

Answer 2

Generally, royals don't "find" heirs, so much as give birth to them....