Eldest Daughter Feminism: Unpacking the Syndromes and Familial Systems that Shape Our Stories
The eldest daughters are having a moment. For the past few weeks and months, in the popular press or social media platforms, we have seen eldest daughters speak out about their significant role in keeping things together for those around them. After reading and watching this online content, I was particularly drawn to the stories of numerous women and girls who boldly stand up for themselves and set boundaries with people. As the eldest daughter myself, it’s about damn time.
Despite the attempts to define this “syndrome,” all eldest daughters are not the same. In my research and writing, I have noticed distinct variations or manifestations of “eldest daughter syndrome,” with some daughters exhibiting codependency and people-pleasing tendencies while others display hyper-independence and rigidity.
However, in both cases, the eldest daughter is often the child who takes on a parental role, providing support without receiving it. Or, as I have written in my memoir essays, “Being the oldest child, you get…
