“The plight of the older sibling”: an article I recently read describing why older siblings have it tougher than younger ones. It claims that parents are harder on older siblings than on younger ones in order to set an example.

This idea is so stereotypical. And for the first half of the article I really disagreed, being an older sibling myself. I feel like I have it much easier than my younger brother, and when I got to thinking it’s because I just don’t act up as much as him. But why is that?

The article went on to say that because of this strict discipline older siblings are much less likely to get in trouble in the first place, often making them perfectionists. This is one part I can totally see. I’ve always wondered why I was such a perfectionist. I thought it just made sense, doing everything the best you possibly can, but I guess that’s because that’s what my parents taught me.

Personally, growing up as the older sibling I always thought it was better. My parents trust me more and think I’m more responsible. This allows me more leeway to do the things I want. And as long as I don’t screw up, they don’t question my judgment. I feel like I grew up faster than my younger brother, maybe because I was the oldest sibling and thought I needed to be the mature one.

The article does a good job of explaining this: how younger siblings act up more because they have more freedom. I’ve found that this tends to backfire. While younger siblings may be given more freedom they are also more likely to stretch that freedom. Again, parents may be more lenient in punishing them.

I never really thought of it this way. Younger siblings may have an easier time getting by, but I much prefer being more responsible. To me it seems that in the long run having the skills to be independent will pay off more than being able to “pass under the radar.”

There’s one aspect of being the younger sibling I especially don’t regret ever having to experience, and that is previous expectations. While sometimes it may work to younger siblings’ benefit to have an older sibling pave the way for them, they constantly have to live up to expectations set by their older siblings, and I can’t imagine it feels good to fall short of any of them.

I love being the older sibling, and mostly everything that comes with it. I don’t feel like it holds me back in any way; maybe being brought up strict has made me more sensible so that I think my parents’ rules are logical. As a whole, I think many of the points made in this article are accurate and very insightful, in the analysis of both older and younger siblings.