Each year, at the opening of the presents, we take a look at what is happening next: did the brother and sister have more gifts? A study finally reveals who would be the most spoiled!
We are well aware of the theory according to which being an only child is the ultimate privilege: studies and testimonies tend to show that, in this family model, the child focuses on attention and thoughtfulness of his parents, and finds himself spoiled rotten.
But then, how do things go within a siblings ? This other form of family unit would also have its own rules, including the Christmas season would be particularly revealing. Who has not already feverishly scrutinized the carpet of gifts at the foot of the tree, trying a quick internal count? Who has not already felt annoyed by dint of falling only on gifts labeled with the name of the brother or sister? Know that your impressions were not paranoid but the symptom of your place in the siblings…
A study that does the math
Fortunately, there are researchers as traumatized as us to embark on serious studies and shed light on these family secrets! This year, Christmas will ring the hour for settling scores, with supporting evidence: a sample of 1,000 people, of all ages and social backgrounds, was surveyed to analyze their experience of family Christmas parties. Results ? More than 10% designate thethe youngest like the most spoiled child of the siblings.
Eh yes ! The youngest or the youngest would indeed be the most pampered child, the one who would receive the greatest number of gifts, the favorite. Would come next the eldest : the couple’s first child would benefit from this privileged position so as not to be too cheated. On the other hand, the ugly duckling would indeed be the cadet ! The child who occupies the intermediate place in the siblings would in fact receive the fewest gifts: in question, this in-between which would make him more invisible.
What consequences once adults?
If the youngest will be more than happy to be covered with gifts, this privilege may not be so beneficial to him in the long term. Because an overprotected and spoiled child does not know the feeling of dissatisfaction, however necessary to the construction of the future adult! In the worst case, he risks turning into a real child-king and believing that everything is due to him, which will have an impact on his adaptability.
But for our poor little cadets, bad luck is good for everything: the children in the middle would indeed be those who are best equipped for adulthood. They would also be more likely to be successful because of this less privileged treatment.
This is news that should start some very eventful conversations this year at Christmas dinner!