Differential treatment of children, also known as favoritism, is when parents prefer one child over another. This can manifest in many ways, such as giving one child more attention or privileges, or singling out one child for criticism while overlooking the same behavior in another. Differential treatment can have a lasting effect on children, leading to feelings of jealousy and resentment towards siblings, and low self-esteem.
There are a number of reasons why parents might treat one child differently from another. In some cases, it may be due to simple favoritism – the parent simply likes one child more than the other. In other cases, it may be that the parent sees more potential in one child than the other. For example, if a parent has two children who are very different in terms of their academic abilities, they may focus more attention on the child who is struggling academically in an effort to help them succeed. Or if a parent perceives one child as being more sensitive or vulnerable than the other, they may try to protect that child from hurtful experiences or difficult situations.
Whatever the reason for differential treatment, it's important for parents to be aware of its potential effects on their children. Differential treatment can create feelings of jealousy and resentment between siblings which can last well into adulthood. It can also lead to low self-esteem in children who feel that they are never good enough or don't measure up to their sibling (or siblings). If you're concerned that you may be treating your children differently without realizing it, take some time to examine your behaviors and see if there's anything you can change going forward. Remember that all your children are unique individuals with their own needs and wants – try to treat them all fairly and equally whenever possible.