The challenge of parental favoritism
Raising a child is no easy feat, and when there are two or more, the challenge multiplies. A recent article I read highlighted a common issue in families with multiple children—parental favoritism.
It’s often said that parents can’t help but have a favorite child, whether they admit it or not. The favored child might receive more attention, praise, and even financial support, regardless of their achievements. On the other hand, the less favored child might excel and still feel overlooked.
Parents might justify their actions by saying they’re helping the less fortunate or giving more to the one who “needs it most,” but the reality is, favoritism can deeply affect a child’s self-esteem and family dynamics.
In families with siblings, the competition for parental love and approval can be fierce. Some believe that having more siblings dilutes the individual attention each child receives, leading to a natural hierarchy of favoritism.
What’s your take on this? Have you experienced or witnessed parental favoritism? How do you think it impacts the children involved?
#Parenting #Favoritism #FamilyDynamics #SiblingRivalry #EmotionalWellbeing
