What Is Golden Child Syndrome? 10 Signs and How to Heal

Here’s a summary of this article I contributed to. Read the full article on BestLife.

Golden Child Syndrome: A family dynamic where one child is excessively favored, leading to unhealthy consequences for the child and their siblings.

• Signs of Syndrome:

  • Favoritism: The Golden Child receives more praise and positive attention than siblings.

  • Unrealistic Expectations: They may be expected to meet high standards, leading to perfectionism and anxiety.

  • Neglect of Siblings: Siblings may be negatively compared to the Golden Child, causing resentment and damaged relationships.

  • Parental Projection: Parents may use the Golden Child to fulfill their own unfulfilled aspirations.

  • Entitlement and Fragile Self-Esteem: The Golden Child may feel entitled and struggle with self-esteem due to reliance on external validation.

  • Perceived Failures: They may hide failures and experience high levels of stress and guilt.

• Healing Strategies: Therapy, self-exploration, setting boundaries, and self-compassion are recommended to address and heal from the effects of being the Golden Child.