Substack: The Hidden Cost of the Being the Eldest Daughter
Why being the eldest daughter is its own type of trauma in some families
Here’s an excerpt from my Substack article about the “Eldest Daughter Syndrome”:
“Lately, I’ve been seeing a few memes about “Eldest Daughter Syndrome”: the hyper-responsible, over-achieving, deeply anxious woman who manages her family’s emotional and often logistical needs from a very young age. The reels often highlight how being the eldest daughter means doing it all on your own, not asking for help, being the third parent, the family therapist and putting yourself last.
Being the eldest daughter in an ethnic household (especially in an immigrant household) adds a whole other layer to this complex. It is another element that can shape the entire architecture of your adult life.”