Why Is The Second Child Less Obedient Than The First?
It is not always like this, but very often younger siblings are less obedient and less disciplined than the firstborn. But why?
Why is the second child often less obedient?
Different circumstances affect the personality of every child. It is particularly important how the little creature is treated and raised by its parents.
Extreme care
In some cases, however, parents are extremely caring: they become the child’s shadow because the line between protection and excessive caution is very thin.
The first-born is constantly being photographed and filmed, every moment is captured because everything is new: the first word, the first solid food, the first walk, etc.
With the second child, none of this is so important anymore, because we have already experienced this before. Time and attention must now be shared fairly between both siblings. Parents try very hard to do so, even if it is not always easy.
The path already covered with the first child allows us to give the little sibling a little more freedom. They will feel more confident and therefore also be more daring and cheeky and try more things for themselves.
Scientific studies carried out in Europe and America confirmed the hypothesis that the second child is usually less obedient and more adventurous.
They experience less discipline at home and have fewer rules to follow, but have to find their own way between other family members.
It’s not about the second child being less important. But it uses every little space that was not available in the older sibling.
The second child: in the footsteps of the older sibling, it is less obedient
The easiest way to learn is to follow a role model. It doesn’t matter how many times you tell your child not to sit on the table, dirty the walls, or throw things on the floor.
When the little sibling sees that the older brother or sister is doing the same, they often go a step further and are even less obedient.
The big sibling is also a great role model that needs to be surpassed. After all, it is also about attracting parents’ attention.
So when the older brother or sister writes their name on the wall, the younger sibling can add a great drawing that runs across the wall! After all, the difference has to be obvious at first glance.
The smaller child enjoys his position. It knows from the start that everyone – including its older sibling – will treat it lovingly, gently and flexibly. It feels like the king or queen of the house. This gives him enough courage to be less obedient and do everything in his own way.
