PARENTAL ROLE EXPECTATIONS AND THE FORMATION OF RESPONSIBILITY IN FIRST-BORN AND LATER-BORN SIBLINGS

Abstract

This study investigates the relationship between differential parental role expectations and the development of responsibility in first-born and later-born siblings. Drawing on Adler's theory of birth order and family systems theory, we hypothesize that first-born children internalize higher levels of responsibility due to parental expectations that assign them caretaking and role-modeling duties. In contrast, later-born children are expected to develop responsibility through different pathways, often involving negotiation and adaptation within the family hierarchy. A mixed-methods approach was employed, utilizing surveys to measure perceived parental expectations and self-reported responsible behaviors, alongside in-depth interviews with a subset of families. Quantitative results indicate a statistically significant positive correlation between high parental responsibility expectations and the development of responsible behaviors in first-borns. Qualitative analysis reveals that first-borns often perceive these expectations as a form of pressure that shapes their identity, while later-borns describe a more collaborative or delegated form of responsibility. The findings underscore the profound impact of birth-order-specific parental expectations on the socialization process and the divergent paths through which a sense of responsibility is cultivated within the family system.