Situation · Yourself
“I resent my sibling because my parents favoured them”
What could be going on
Family roles (golden child, scapegoat, lost child, mascot): Golden child and scapegoat roles fit; check which role you held and who assigned it.
Resentment: Lingering, re-chewed anger never said to your parents fits; check whether you've ever raised it.
Envy: Pain at your sibling's advantage fits; check whether it's their love or their success you want.
Childhood emotional neglect: Fits if your feelings went unnoticed while they got attention; check what was missing for you.
Intergenerational transmission: Favouritism often repeats across generations; check whether a parent was also passed over.
Social comparison: Fits if you still measure your life against theirs; check how you feel after family visits.
Questions to carry
- Which moment from childhood shows the favour most plainly, and where was my sibling then?
- Underneath the resentment, what did I want from my parents that went to my sibling?
Also said as
- my brother was the golden child
- my parents always preferred my sister
- I was the scapegoat in my family
- I'm still bitter about my parents' favourite
- my parents had a favourite and it wasn't me
- why do I resent my sister