It's not equal and it's dumb to think that it's equal.
The moment two people perceive a newborn, the next 18 19 maybe 20 years is committed to protecting that child and getting them as far as possible in the world. From that point on the only value in their life is to protect the kid.
It's not even about a man, same thing goes for a woman. If a parent had to choose between whose life to save, their lovers, mothers (or fathers, they should both be equal in an ideal household), or daughters (or sons for that matter, gender is not an indication of the value of an offspring in America at least), the parent should always choose their child.
If they pick their parent they'll be pissed for them letting their grandchild die. If they choose their lover they'll be infuriated that they forsook their very own offspring, the spitting image of them both, their child(ren).
Not a hard question to answer. If you ask your parent who is most valuable they will say 'oh you're all equally valuable'. But given the opportunity to save ones life they would (or should) definitely pick you, their child.
