What does parental favoritism look like?

Parental favoritism is when one or both parents display consistent favoritism toward one child over another. It can include more time spent together, less discipline, and more privileges. As a parent, we usually try to remain neutral and treat all of our children equally. But that task is a lot harder than it sounds.

Do parents favor the younger child?

Out of 1185 parents and 1111 grandparents, 23 percent of parents and 42 percent of grandparents admitted to have a favorite out of their children or grandchildren. For parents, that tended to be the youngest—56 percent of those parents with a favorite said they preferred the baby of the family.

Why do parents target one child?

The targeted child may remind the parent of a trauma he or she experienced, such as rape, or as Egeland noted, their own abuse. Sometimes, parents target a child for abuse because the child is hyperactive, has a disability, or displays personality traits the parent doesn’t like.

Are parents harder on their oldest child?

If you think your parents let your younger siblings get away with everything, you’re probably right. A new study from researchers at Duke University, Johns Hopkins University and the University of Maryland concludes that parents punish older children more harshly — and they’re wise to do so.

Do parents have favorites?

Even if you don’t fully recognize it, research indicates that there’s a good chance that you actually do have a favorite. In fact, one study published in the Journal of Family Psychology found 74\% of moms and 70\% of dads reported preferential treatment toward one child.

Do perfect families exist?

There are no ideal families, conflict is an inevitable part of family life, and large numbers of children know what it is like to grow up without seeing one of their parents, especially their fathers. So, remember, there are no perfect families and there are no perfect marriages or relationships.