- Gets babied – Parents tend to baby the youngest child knowing that there won’t be any more babies coming along. There’s no pressure to get them off the bottle, out of the crib and potty trained to make way for another baby. Some parents may want to prolong the baby stage as long as possible.
- Less discipline – Youngest children usually get less discipline than their older siblings who often refer to them as getting away with murder. Minor transgressions don’t seem to get punished as severely if at all. The older kids are resentful while the youngest thinks he’s got it made.
- Center of attention – The babies of the family quickly get used to being the center of attention. They have their parents and older brothers and sisters there to attend to their every need. Even friends and relatives tend to give the youngest child extra attention.
- Very social – Since the youngest is used to being the center of attention, they tend to be much more social. They like being around other people which makes them gregarious and extroverted. This helps them to make friends and become popular with their piers.
- Indulged – The youngest child will get indulged more than the older children. A pout or the slightest whimper will often result in getting whatever they want. Why do something yourself when you can get someone else to do it for you?
- 10 Reasons the Youngest Child in the Family Has it Made
10 Reasons the Youngest Child in the Family Has it Made
While there are a few truisms in this, and in some respects it is advantageous to be a youngest child but it is only half the picture, and ignores the positive qualities of the youngest child. In fact it really says more about the parents. But why shouldn't the youngest given say a age difference of 7 years get cut a little slack, why should an older child not be treated according to their greater maturity?
Older siblings often benefit from having a younger brother who'll will do things like wash their car, and run to the shops for them.
This article seems incorrect, and generalising.
I find some people when they learn I am a youngest child, make A LOT of false assumptions about me neither knowing me or my life. In my own family its more often than not me that takes responsibility for many things and has been the case from my teens.
I am not very social in fact I suffer from social anxiety and isolation, which MEANS I spend most time alone. Its not that I prefer my own company, but I find it hard to find friends. So I don't have it made in that way either.
I was always during my teens running messages for older siblings, often helping them in difficulties.
I am at a deficit in many ways, losing my father young, whereas my brothers and sister who are a good deal older had the benefit of a father until they reached adulthood. I have always supported my mum financially, and with help about the house, even when on low pay, I basically was giving her a quarter of my earnings.
So I think the linked article while it contains some truth also tends to be one sided, even where it it true, and needs to recognise the exception.