Business Insider: Prof. Azzi-Lessing Shares Expertise on Big Sisters Shouldering More Family Responsibilities than Other Siblings
“Eldest-daughter syndrome,” or additional familial responsibilities placed on firstborn daughters, can lead to stress, perfectionism, and difficulty setting boundaries in the moment and later in life. Prof. Lenette Azzi-Lessing from BU School of Social Work spoke to Business Insider on the importance of balancing big sister responsibilities with their own needs to prevent negative side effects.
Excerpt from “The Plight of Big Sisters” by Kelli María Korducki:
As long as they’re equipped to handle the tasks at hand, there is nothing inherently wrong with asking children to step up to positions of responsibility. According to Lenette Azzi-Lessing, an associate professor of social work at Boston University and a senior fellow at the Child Welfare League of America, feeling competent in an adult role can even serve as a valuable source of self-confidence for older children. It’s when family responsibilities get in the way of an older sibling’s ability to participate in their own important developmental experiences — such as schoolwork, hobbies, extracurriculars, and social activities — that the downsides can quickly outstrip any benefits.”