Do parents prefer one child?

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.

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Are parents happier with only one child?

Research has showed that, while having one child is associated with a gain in happiness, having a second is associated with a drop in happiness for mothers.

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Why do parents favorite one child?

“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.”

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Is it normal to prefer one child?

"Every parent has a favorite, or a preference. It is absolutely normal," says psychologist Ellen Weber Libby, author of "The Favorite Child." She also says that parents change their favorites at times. Stacy, of Los Angeles has a 5-year-old son and a 9-year-old daughter, "I completely favor my son.

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Do parents actually have a favorite child?

Perceptions of favoritism can take a lasting mental toll on families, according to a 20-year study following parents and their adult children. WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. — Moms won't admit to it. Families rarely talk about this, but research shows that many parents do, in fact, have a favorite and least favorite child.

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Choosing to have an only child: 'People were offended' BBC Stories

32 related questions found

Which child is typically the favorite?

While the youngest sibling is usually the funniest kid, mom and dad favor the youngest for a reason that might surprise you. According to a new study conducted by Brigham Young University's School of Family Life, the youngest sibling of the family tends to be mom and dad's favorite child because of perception.

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Which child is usually the favorite child?

Only 30% say they prefer the eldest. This pattern is similar to parents with three or more children who favour one above the others. Many (43%) prefer the youngest, a third (34%) a middle child and fewer (19%) the eldest. Having a favourite is controversial.

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Are two kids better than 1?

Having two children is good for your health

Three different studies looked at thousands of older adults and found the same thing: two kids was the sweet spot for health. The risk of an early death increases by 18% for parents of an only child.

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Are siblings happier than only children?

Do they suffer from depression? As children and teenagers, only children may actually be happier without siblings. One large study found that having younger siblings reduced life satisfaction in kids and teens. Another found that teenagers with siblings were twice as likely to suffer from depression.

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Is it better or worse to be an only child?

While studies are inconclusive as to whether only children are more or less advantaged than others, those without siblings can have the benefit of being the centre of attention during their childhood, which might help with developing self-esteem, self-reliability and resilience.

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What is golden child syndrome?

Golden child syndrome, or being a “golden child,” is a term typically used by family, and most often by parents, to refer to a child in the family that's regarded as exceptional in some way. The golden child is expected to be extraordinary at everything, not make mistakes, and essentially be “perfect.”

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Which child is the most successful?

First-born kids tend to be leaders, like CEOS and founders, and are more likely to achieve traditional success. Middle-born children often embody a mix of the traits of older and younger siblings, and they're very relationship-focused.

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Do parents prefer sons or daughters?

Gender inequality starts even before birth. Across the world, would-be parents tend to prefer their first (or their only) child to be a boy rather than a girl or to have more sons than daughters (1–8). This results in millions of “missing girls” at birth due to sex-selective abortions (9–11).

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Will an only child feel lonely?

MYTH: Only children are lonely. FACT: Only children can have as many friends as their peers with siblings do.

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What is the happiest family size?

Want to be a happier parent? Grow your family to at least four children! According to a study out of Australia's Edith Cowan University, parents with the most life satisfaction (which means those who are the happiest) are those that have four or more children. Dr.

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What is the hardest number of kids to have?

According to some random online survey, the most stressful number of kids to have is three. In fact, having four is supposed to be less stressful than three kids.

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Why having one child is best?

Parents can also benefit from having only one child, Dr Newman says, with "less stress and pressure; ability to pursue your own interests; spontaneity, [and] a closeness that develops between parent and child".

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Do most only children want a sibling?

Only children are the most likely to want a brother or sister, yet some singletons never ask. For many singletons, the question is fleeting. It may be asked once or a couple times before your child reaches age eight or ten.

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What is the personality of a first born only child?

“Firstborn children can be goal-oriented, outspoken, stubborn, independent, and perfectionistic,” Smelser says, and when you look at the way firstborns are nurtured, it starts to make sense why. “These traits are often reinforced by parents through their interactions with the child,” she says.

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Is it better to have 2 sons or 2 daughters?

What's the secret to a blissful family life? Apparently it's a game of X's. (Well, four X chromosomes, to be exact.) Having two daughters leads to the most harmonious family life, according to a study by the popular U.K. parenting website Bounty.com.

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Is 37 too old to have another baby?

Geriatric pregnancy is a rarely used term for having a baby when you're 35 or older. Rest assured, most healthy women who get pregnant after age 35 and even into their 40s have healthy babies.

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Do moms love their first child more?

A recent study has found that it's not the youngest child that's liked the most. It's actually the eldest! While eldest children around the world have had to be the example for their younger siblings and parents being extra strict on them, it looks like there was a good reason.

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Which child gets more love?

According to a study published by the Journal of Marriage and Family, 75 per cent of mothers report feeling closer to the eldest child, her first born.

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How many kids is best for the kids?

An actual study revealed one to two children is the ideal number for “happiness”, but with two you don't have to deal with the aforementioned only child issues.

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