Everyone with a sibling knows it can feel like their parents have a favorite. It turns out they do, at least according to a new study.
Researchers at Brigham Young University looked at the results of more than 30 studies including more than 19,000 participants and found parents do, indeed, treat their children differently.
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For the study, researchers look at five key areas of parent-child interaction:
- Overall treatment.
- Positive interactions (praise and displays of affection).
- Negative interactions (criticism or fighting).
- Resource allocation (spending time with a child and material resources).
- Behavior control (setting rules and expectations).
They found one of the biggest factors is birth order. Researchers said parents tend give older siblings more autonomy, like later curfews and more freedom to make their own decisions.
A child’s personality characteristics also play a huge role. Basically, children who show more conscientiousness and responsibility have fewer negative interactions with their parents. They’re the kids who do their chores without having to be told, for example.
Agreeable children who show more cooperation and consideration also usually see more positive parental responses.
The study found, contrary to popular belief, both mothers and fathers tend to favor daughters over sons, though the children surveyed did not notice that discrepancy.
Researchers said the children who receive less favorable treatment are more likely to experience mental health and relationship issues.
