“Eldest daughter syndrome” and the science of birth order

Is it real?
From The Times

April 30, 2024

"Eldest daughter syndrome" — characterized by intense feelings of familial responsibility, people-pleasing tendencies and resentment — is having a moment.

An illustration of four nesting dolls in a row in a blue background. In descending height from left to right, the dolls have faces descending in age, with the one on the far right in white diapers with hands clasped at the front. Compared with the other dolls' faces that look happy, the face of the doll on the far left looks sad. It is adorned with medals and a ribbon that says

Bianca Bagnarelli

But does birth order really matter? Here's what the research says.

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