One-Third Of Americans With Siblings Say Their Mother Has A Favorite Child

Does a mother ever admit that she has a favorite child?

No, a mother will not only hate to admit that fact. On top of that, she will lead you to think that she loves all her children equally. 

Concealing one’s preference

Almost all mothers who have multiple children have a favorite child. However, most of them will never admit that they have a weakness for one child over the other children. Irrespective of the fact whether you were a brilliant student or a backbencher struggling with studies all the time, your parents have always made you believe that all of you were equal in their eyes.

Unwillingness to disclose

Science, however, begs to differ on this count. They have quite a different tale to offer. All mothers, in general, have a favorite child, but most of them are often reluctant to come to terms with this fact. Most of them even feel that they would be betraying their other well-groomed children in the process. If they admit this fact in front of others, then this may end up having a negative impact on the children. 

Getting more

Preferential treatment by parents is not totally unheard of and on the contrary, is quite a common occurrence. The kids who are born earlier would be more likely to be impacted by this differential treatment. They are the ones who get to spend an increased amount of time with their parents on account of their early birth.

Bias towards the older ones

Sometimes the earlier born child explicitly may express that they are the ones who are given preferential treatment. Under such circumstances, the self-esteem of the younger ones may be affected. The later-born child may feel that the bias of the parents towards their older kid may have arisen due to the presence of several factors. The older child was the first one who got an award at any of the sporting events or in the field of academic excellence.

Unable to suppress

It is a rare incident when parents will ever willingly admit their favoritism but that in a way, it is fine too. Even if they do not bring forward their choice but judging by their actions, it is not also to determine too. Come on that doesn’t imply that they love one child over the other, but it is just that they are unable to control their urge to show a preference. The favoritism concept may even trickle down into adulthood too. 

Show of enthusiasm

Parents are, in all likelihood, ready to shower more money on their preferred child. They will find ways to slip some extra dough in the pockets of their preferred ones. The category of favorite children may include nieces, nephews, and grandchildren. In case of the achievement of their golden children, they may not even be able to suppress their enthusiasm. 

Host of benefits

Whatever the birth order is, each one may be suspicious of their parents favoring one over the other. Having a sibling is beneficial and paves the way for a robust built-in support system.