In a world obsessed with dissecting privileges, one curious case often escapes our scrutiny: the privilege of being the younger sibling.
While we almost always point out privileges that come with bank balances, social status, or even visceral appeal, the influence of birth order often goes unnoticed. This invisible advantage can shape our experiences and personalities in profound ways.
As a seasoned veteran of this dubious honour, allow me to discuss some perks that our community receives on a regular basis.
The first, and perhaps most significant, privilege of the younger sibling is the luxury of learning from the mistakes of their predecessors. While the eldest child navigates uncharted territory, tumbling down the unfamiliar landscapes of adolescence and adulthood, the younger one observes, absorbs, and, more importantly, avoids.
The firecracker mishap that earned the elder sibling a grounding becomes a cautionary tale, the disastrous first date a hillarious anecdote, and the college application blunder a valuable lesson in attention-to-detail. We, the younger ones, inherit a wealth of experience, a pre-populated library of dos and don’ts, which allows us to tread this world with a certain degree of pre-emptive wisdom.
What adds to the younger sibling’s quality of life is the simple fact that he or she basks in the warmth of relaxed expectations. Having witnessed the desperate efforts of our elder sibling to meet parental aspirations, we benefit from a more laissez-faire approach. The pressure to excel academically, to pursue prestigious careers, or to conform to societal norms (such as tying the knot, cultivating the next generation of humans) often feels less acute. We are, in a sense, the beneficiaries of a softened parental gaze, one tempered by the experience of raising the firstborn and perhaps, a touch of weary indulgence.
Sure, there are some challenges for the younger one. For instance, we might have to grapple with comparisons, the inevitable hand-me-downs, and the occasional feeling of being an afterthought. But these are just minor grievances. It’s a small price we pay for the freedom to forge our own path, unburdened by the weight of precedent.
Being a younger sibling is fun. We are free to experiment, to deviate from the script, and to embrace individuality, knowing that the ground has already been somewhat broken by our beta versions. It is a position that grants us a unique vantage point, a blend of borrowed wisdom and unfettered potential. That’s a great (some might use the adjective ‘unfair’) head start in the game of life!
Deepak Rana 