Parents tend to be more strict and give more responsibilities to older siblings compared to other siblings… But some of these habits can have an impact on the child’s personality.
It is well known that the eldest has a rather special place among siblings. He is generally assigned the roles of protector and confidant, towards his little brothers and sisters, but also that of guardian, who is responsible for the tribe. Naturally, it is the eldest who must set an example for his younger siblings, and it is also on him, in principle, that parents place all their trust, especially when they are absent. We talk about “eldest daughter syndrome” or “eldest daughter syndrome” in English, to talk about children who are often forced to take care of their little brothers and sisters. But be careful not to give them too many responsibilities, because as they grow up, older adults tend to always worry about others, not dare to ask for help and become stressed. In summary, being the first child in a family means having several hats, some of which may be more or less difficult to wear. Moreover, if we are to believe specialists, most seniors would be confronted, through their role, with a common problem which would also have an impact on their personality.
From the moment they are born, elders have one and the same role model: their parents. When they welcome their first child, they learn their new role day by day, as best they can. They sometimes make mistakes, have doubts, and this is perfectly normal, because being a parent is not innate. As a result, according to therapist Altheresa Clark, interviewed by the American Huffington Post, seniors often face an “extreme” parenting style, like a strict upbringing that has many rules and expectations. Moreover, if they are less strict about the rules with their other children, older children could feel a feeling of jealousy towards their brothers and sisters.
Consequence: as they grow up, older children become “perfectionists”, underlines the expert. “If they don’t live up to what their parents expected of them, then they are very, very hard on themselves,” she adds. Which can be difficult for them on a daily basis. Additionally, by constantly striving to surpass themselves, it’s also hard for them to feel “good” enough. Which can lead to imposter syndrome. Faced with success or recognition, elders then have the feeling of not always deserving it, “because of this severe self-criticism”, explains the expert, who recommends that seniors be a little more lenient and trust themselves more.