Oh dear, this is going to be a source of many arguments in the household (or banter, no one’s really picky about it)!
Who’s your parents’ favorite kid is an age-old question. Sometimes meant in earnest, or for jest. Parental figures would say that they love their kids equally, but that’s really not just possible. Siblings may be connected by blood and familial characteristics, but each of them has different personalities. The world, your parents also included, will always view siblings differently.
It has less to do with favoritism and more of who’s the one more likely to be easy to get along with or has more likability. If you’ve ever wondered about that, it turns out researchers have got ahead of you. A 2017 study done by Brigham Young University's School of Family Life looked at how parents treated their children. Much to nobody’s surprise: there is a sibling that is more liked than others.
The researchers looked at 300 families who had at least two teenagers and questioned them on their relationships with each other. The results are not really surprising. Their research revealed that the youngest sibling is most likely to be everyone's favorite sibling– this is because they usually had a better relationship with their parents. Dr. Catherine Salmon also adds to this, saying that the youngest in the family is believed to be more fun and outgoing. The lack of stricter parenting compared to the elder siblings makes the youngest more laid-back and social.
Learn more about the study here!
Image credit: Daniel Jurin