Yes and no…there is, as most answerers have already mentioned, a different dynamic that goes on with children, than with grandchildren. Many parents see their youngest children as needing them the most. Parents don't love more a child than an other. The more self‑protective a person is, the more he or she will act out his or her defenses on the child and progressively fail to perceive the child correctly and encourage healthy development. If they have more than one child, they tend to pit them against each other. So why do parents favor the youngest child? Parents don't have favorites, right? Their condition may put a financial burden on the family as well. By Olivia Goldhill 29 October 2014 • 00:10 am . Narcissists often emotionally reject a child that reminds them of their own insecurities and flaws. Discover unique things to do, places to eat, and sights to see in the best destinations around the world with Bring Me! Parents who have mentally or physically-challenged children are more likely to abuse their child due to burnout and stress. In many families, it is not unusual for parents to treat the youngest child the most preferentially. Obsessed with travel? Because in our advanced age, we tend to appreciate relationships more than anything else. Your child’s growth has to do with more than just the food they eat and the exercise they get – love affects it, too. 5. Parents may protest that they love their children equally but favouritism is an alarmingly common problem. To parents, oldest and middle children are seen as protoadults while youngest children are seen as more worthy of individualized and intense parental attention and love. Parents sometimes provoke a sibling rivalry because of this. These children require a lot of attention, much more than a child without disabilities. Caveat: #1 Old age, advanced age is relative. The parents didn't let on which child they preferred, but Koger and her team had a theory about who felt the discrepancy most: “Our working hypothesis was that older, earlier born children would be more affected by perceptions of differential treatment due to their status as older child -- more power due to age and size, more time with parents -- in the family,” Koger told Quartz. Narcissistic parents are controlling and manipulative. Do you love one child more than another? Researchers looked at how well mothers supported their children when they tried to do a difficult task, and then checked back about 5 years later to do a brain scan. The theory explains that parents are more likely to discipline the first child more, and become a bit more lax as they have more kids. But if you're a parent, a more compelling ... of 1972 involved placing a marshmallow in front of a young child… Parents may show more affection to the young one because there young and they need that affection. 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