Which child do parents prefer?

“Parents tend to favour a child that is most like them, reminds them of themselves, or represents what they view as a success of parenting,” she says. “Younger children are most likely to have been raised by a parent who, over time and experience, is more confident and skilled in their child-raising.”

bbc.com - Is having a favourite child really a bad thing? - BBC Worklife

What male animals can breastfeed?

The phenomenon of male lactation occurs in some species, notably the Dayak fruit bat (Dyacopterus spadiceus) and the Bismarck masked flying fox...

Last updated Feb 6, 2019

How does twin flame reunion happen?

A twin flame is the other half of your soul — a person who, like a mirror, reflects your inner self. A twin flame reunion occurs when one of the...

Last updated Jun 23, 2018

Do you really know who the “One” is? Your true Soulmate?

Promotion

Joanna knew she had a favourite child from the moment her second son was born. The Kent, UK-based mum says she loves both of her children, but her youngest child just “gets” her in a way that her first-born doesn’t. When Joanna’s first baby was delivered, he was rushed away from her due to a health concern, and she couldn’t see him for 24 hours. Missing this valuable bonding period was, she believes, the start of a long-lasting preference for her second son, whom she was able to spend time with immediately after he was born. “To sum our relationships up: I have to make an appointment to speak to my eldest,” says Joanna, whose full name is being withheld to protect her children. “With my youngest, I could call him at 0230 and he’d drive miles to meet me. My youngest is the nicest guy on the planet. He’s caring, generous, courteous and friendly. He’s the kind of person who would help anyone out.” Though she battled her feelings for years, Joanna says now she’s in a place of acceptance. “I could write a book on why I love one more than the other,” she says. “It’s been hard, but I haven’t got any guilt.” Unlike Joanna, most parents’ favouritism is subtle and goes undiscussed. Having a favourite child might be the greatest taboo of parenthood, yet research shows that the majority of parents do indeed have a favourite. With plenty of evidence to suggest that being the least-favoured child can fundamentally shape the personality and lead to intense sibling rivalries, it’s no wonder that parents might worry about letting their preferences slip. Yet research also shows that most kids can’t tell who their parents’ favourite child really is. The real issue, then, is how parents manage their children’s perception of favouritism.

Playing favourites

“Not every parent has a favourite child, but many do,” says Jessica Griffin, an associate professor of psychiatry and paediatrics at the University of Massachusetts Medical School, US. “Data suggests that mothers, in particular, show favouritism to children who have similar values to them and that engage more with family, over qualities such as being highly ambitious or career driven.”

Do eyes reflect the soul?

It is said that the eyes are the “mirror of the soul”, that when we look someone in the eye, we are able to perceive its essence. And the truth is...

Last updated Jul 8, 2021

What is the average age for a first girlfriend?

According to the American Academy of Pediatrics, kids start dating at an average age of 12 and a half for girls and 13 and a half for boys. Every...

Last updated Sep 16, 2020

Promotion

What month are intelligent babies born?

September Those born in September are, apparently, the smartest out of the entire year. According to Marie Claire, a study published in the National Bureau of Economic Research found that there's a clear correlation between the month during which you were born and how smart you are.

travelandleisure.com - The Smartest People Were Born in This Month, Study Suggests (Video)

You may think you're smart — but are you smarter than someone born in September?

Those born in September are, apparently, the smartest out of the entire year. According to Marie Claire, a study published in the National Bureau of Economic Research found that there's a clear correlation between the month during which you were born and how smart you are. The study, entitled "School Starting Age and Cognitive Development," found that schoolchildren born in September were more likely to have higher GPAs than those born in any other month. But don't worry, everybody else born in the 11 other months: It's not like a September baby's (perceived) intelligence was the cause of annual divine intervention in the ninth month of the year. The school system is set up to favor children born around this time. Researchers found that "being relatively old for grade (being born in September versus August)" was more likely to result in better grades. This seems to be supported by the fact that those born in August — and are 11 months younger — were most likely to have the lowest grades. However, this study took place in Florida where the cut-off for school enrollment is Sep. 1. In other states, like New York, that cut-off can be as late as Dec. 31, which would likely skew results. But also, apparently, the study found out that those born in September were the least likely to go to prison, according to Marie Claire. So there may be something to the ninth month magic, after all.

Do couples with kids live longer?

Analyzing records from 1.4 million people born in Sweden from 1911 to 1925, they found that at age 60, the chance of dying in the next year was 0.6...

Last updated Jul 31, 2022

What happens to your body when you flirt?

Your dopamine levels spike. Norepinephrine is released, causing your heart to race. Serotonin—the key hormone that regulates mood, well-being, and...

Last updated May 12, 2019

Promotion

What goes on in a man's mind during no contact?

The male mind during no contact The no-contact rule male psychology forces him to recognize his loneliness. After a breakup, if you stop contacting...

Last updated Dec 6, 2021

Promotion

Which gender breaks up more?

While it is established that about half of all marriages end in divorce, it is commonly assumed that the breakups are initiated by both genders...

Last updated Oct 28, 2018