Social media has underlined the fact that the plight of the eldest daughter can be a difficult one. As both the oldest child and the girl, parents and family members can sometimes place unfair expectations and responsibilities on them from a young age. While it doesn’t always happen, when it does it can be a stressful experience that puts strain on the family dynamic. It’s not an ideal position to be in.

One of the situations in which this dynamic is most common is when the eldest daughter is significantly older than any of her other siblings. Certain parents see this as an excuse to use them for free childcare. While in the right context, this doesn’t have to be a problem, it is a benefit that can easily be taken too far. No matter what order somebody comes in the family, they deserve to have their own life and autonomy.