Parental favouritism is a thing, and its effects goes deeper than you think

In parental favouritism, research shows the less favoured children suffer for it. Photo: The New York Times/Eleanor Davis

As a child, Kara never thought of her parents as the types to play favourites.

Her youngest siblings always enjoyed extra attention and special privileges, like trips to Disneyland, but she had rationalised the behaviour: The oldest children are meant to be more independent, she thought, and her parents probably had more money for vacations after she moved out.