Is being the second oldest child hard?

Question

Does that mean that you have to take on more responsiblitlty than you have to

Answer 1

I'm the oldest of five... my sister, being the second oldest, doesn't have it any tougher than the rest of us... all positions in a family cause mental anguish, but all also have positives.

Answer 2

Depends how many children in total.

If there is only 2 and you are the youngest, parents tend to be a bit more strict because they have learned from the mistakes they made with the first one (who tends to get the benefit of the doubt).Having said that it is argued that in this case it makes the younger one a more rounded person.

If there are 3 children you would be talking about the middle one who would be treated stricter than the eldest but less strict than the younger one.

For more than 3 i suppose it depends on the circumstances.

It can also depend on the sex involved (as in male or female)
Is the eldest male, youngest female?
are they all male?
all female?
What is the mix?

I dont suppose there is one distinct answer, i suppose it comes down to expectation and circumstances but it is something that is interesting.

I presume that you are probably the second oldest child? and maybe you feel you take on more responsibilities than you should? (or perhaps you know someone in that position).
If that is true then what you need to ask yourself is why you feel that way and in what way can you solve the problems you have.

As i said every individual case is different and although there may be certain circumstances that are similar for others in a similar position, they way they solve it (if at all they do) may not be the same way you would need to because there is to many outside factors that are dependant on the circumstances.

I know this answer is quite vague but I hope you understand what I mean by it.

Answer 3

Not really because im a second oldest child but there isn't any difference from first or third oldest child. Only thing you can tell the third oldest child what to do sometimes and I think it's cool to be the second oldest child.

Answer 4

Generally no. If you have an older sibling who is quite mature for his/her age, the parents may expect more out of the second oldest child, which isn't generally fair. It should be a person to person basis, really. As far as being the second oldest child, there may be some challenges, however, such as favoritism. As much as we would like to not admit it, parents generally favor the youngest only because he/she is the baby.

Answer 5

I was the oldest in my family, but my second child has it rough I think. He is always competeing to be as good at everything as his older brother, which isn't physically possible some times, just because of the age difference and development

Answer 6

i personally think it is because first u have to listen to the oldest but ure still responsible for the youngest ones.and also once the older
person goes off to college or whatever you have all the responsibility that u thought u didnt.but i think being oldest is hardest

Answer 7

no, i'm the middle child and i'm fine, i learned from my older brother mistakes and got to blame my younger sister for stuff i did! hehehe j/k, it's not bad at all, it's always fun having someone older to look up to.

Answer 8

yep esspecially when ur a buy and u have an older sister...u have to do all the manual work but she gets first pick at every thing..Email me

Answer 9

yeah it sucks for me cause my older brother messed up his life now every body is looking at me to carry the family its too much pressure i feel your pain

Answer 10

Sometimes. Depends on your exact situation.