Being the youngest one in my family hasn’t always been pleasant throughout my entire life.
Though this doesn’t take away the fact that I am still blessed and unconditionally love a great family of five including my older brother and sister, I have had and still have many general experiences that affect me to this day.
One thing that has always bothered me about being the youngest is the establishment of dominance in my family. I was raised to always respect and listen to my elders. With that being said, my dad obviously has the most dominance with my mom next, then my sister, my brother, and me being the last, meaning I really don’t have dominance over anyone. This has always made me a slave in the family mentally and physically. Not that there is nothing wrong with my beautiful family but being the youngest one automatically meant I had the least busiest schedule, which is why my whole life I have always been thrown with not necessarily hard but consistent jobs in and out the house. Being disciplined to listen and never oppose, I’ve always had no choice but to do these things all the time no matter the time or day. This can range from chores, to work in the garage with my dad, or to waking up early just to run errands for my family when they were busy with whatever they were doing. This is obviously something I’ve gotten used to a long time ago, but from time to time gets irritating and makes me lose my mind. One insanely stupid memory I’ll always remember is when I was super young. It was in the afternoon when it was me, my dad, and my sister watching a basketball game on television. My dad specifically told my sister to get the mail but she refused, reasoning that she was simply tired and told me to get the mail. I told her “Dad told you.” But after that brief argument, my dad yelled, “Kier (my middle name), she is older than you and you do as she says!” Believe it or not, things like this still happen to this day in my family.
Another thing that has bothered me about being the youngest is the way my character is shaped because of that. Being used to having to listen and comply most of the time my whole life, I’ve never gotten used to being a leader but a follower. To me, it has affected how shy or serious I can get in school at times. For those who know my older brother, a lot can see him as a natural-born leader based on his accolades in High School such as being in top 3 in academics and being an officer for several clubs. And one contributing factor to how my brother is the person he is today is the fact of him being my older brother and being used to guiding me through life when my father wasn’t always there. Due to all of his achievements, I’ve been pressured every year in school to do as good, if not better than him when having the teachers he previously had. There have been several instances in my life where I’ve had some teachers make comparisons of me to my brother in school relating to our work ethic or grade point averages which has always gotten on my nerves as if I’m forced to be like someone and not myself.
Emotionally, being the youngest one in my family has played a role in my life as well, especially today. With my sister finished with college and working soon and my brother away at college, it’s like branching off with two lifelong friends of mine. My whole life, I’ve been trailing under not just
my parents but also my older siblings which based on my experiences has always affected me
more emotionally than any of my them. In my opinion, these are one of the reasons why the
youngest person in the family has the hardest adjustments in life as they mature. Because no
matter my age, I will always be considered the baby of the family.
To sum it up, I have had and still get unsoothing experiences of being the youngest one in my family. But because I accept who I am and the circumstances, I’ve alway learned to look at the bright side of being the youngest one, such as simply being the youngest and most cared for in my family and having not just my parents but also my older siblings as mentors as well.
To sum it up, I have had and still get unsoothing experiences of being the youngest one in my family. But because I accept who I am and the circumstances, I’ve alway learned to look at the bright side of being the youngest one, such as simply being the youngest and most cared for in my family and having not just my parents but also my older siblings as mentors as well.
36 comments:
Being the youngest isn't always fun, but somebody has to be right? I,myself, am in the same boat as you. The worst chores as well as constant need for growth as your siblings had rings in my ears as well. Anyways, this was a great piece of writing that I enjoyed to read! -Joshua Kidwell
Although I may not be the youngest in the my own household, I can still relate to this being the middle man of the family. I really enjoyed reading this from the perspective of being the youngest, since I have a younger brother and sister too and was rather curious about how it may be like for them! Overall, I thought your piece was really well written!
As the middle child, I cannot only connect to your story as the victim, but also as the perpetrator to such acts. Before my brother was born, nine-and-a-half years ago, I was the scapegoat to my sister and her little puppet. As passive as I am, she controlled the very breath I breathed. forced me to do as she told her constantly: if i wanted to watch something on the tele it was her duty to permit me or not, if i wanted to play outside it was her job to let me or not - she acted as my second mother. I am not an assertive person so I dealt with it and, sometimes, still do. As my brother came along in 2010, I had a scapegoat for my problems now. My brother, however, is insanely different than I - much more assertive and ornery. With this attitude he gets the "do as your brother/sister says" spiel from my parents constantly. He is quite a rude child, but at times i do feel bad for being so rude to him - if only he could stop being so annoying. Anyway i thought you'd humour at my personal input, sorry you have to abide to the elders. As Mrs. Cogswell would say: Its just the hierarchy of life.
- Adam Huizar
Dang Anthony, It must be tough trying to live up to your older siblings' achievements, especially always being compared to him by your family, peers, and teachers who put lots of pressure on you. I would advise that you just try your hardest in whatever you are passionate in and in what makes you happy, and try to not worry about the expectations put forth by people due to your older brother's prior accomplishments. You guys are two different people and have different strengths and weaknesses so I suggest focusing on your strengths. If your family wont let you do what you want and they still want you to become a doctor, I would listen to them until you can be financially independent of them and if they still are negative and won't support you, then cut all ties with those toxic people in your life, as it really isn't healthy for anyone. At the end of the day it's your life and you should do what you love and what makes you happy such as joining the military like you said. If it isn't pushing you to do better, comparison will just bring you unhappiness and a lack of contentedness. Overall, I really enjoyed this piece on a more personal look into your life so keep up the good work man!
This piece was able to give me insight of what it is to be the youngest. being the middle child I always thought that being the youngest and the oldest had it has given me insight of what it must be like for the oldest and the youngest based on my guess that if it isn't that easy being the youngest than that must also mean it might not be as cracked up to be oldest either. Through your work it made me see that everything has its pros and cons to it. Amazing piece-Sezar Guitron
I really liked how you explained the point of view from the youngest child. I can relate because out of my seven siblings I am the second to being youngest so I am always getting told to by my older siblings of what I should do and what not. So i think that your point of view really explains the point of view of a younger sibling. (Julia Avalos)
Wow, Anthony! This was a really insightful piece that you offered! Personally, before reading this blog, I always thought that the youngest sibling lives the better life, being more nurtured and cared about with relatively less responsibilities than a typical older sibling. But seeing this blog, your use of anecdotes from past life to connecting to your brother greatly helped me see that sometimes being the youngest can be quite isolating and difficult to find an identity. Although I am the only child, I can see some aspects of your struggles in my life as well. Because I’m the only child, I am sometimes cared a little too much, therefore isolating me from trying things on my own and trying to take on the role of leader. Thank you for sharing this experience!
Hi Anthony, I would just like to say that I enjoyed reading this story and that this was really well written. I can also relate to being the youngest in the family and having to live up to older siblings goals. My older brother working in the military, my eldest sister working as a elementary teacher while my 2nd eldest sister graduated valedictorian of her class.
Also while being the youngest in the family can be hard sometimes, our family members do care and love us. :D
-Karen V.
I really enjoyed your piece because I can relate to being the youngest in the family. It is hard trying to live up to parent's expectations, however your blog showed me that I am not alone. I know the pressure of trying to live up to the older sibling, especially if they seem like they are perfect. Although there are these annoyances of being the youngest, there are still many perks. Good job on this blog!
I can totally relate to the feeling of being the youngest. I know your pain of having to do everything for everyone. However like you do I still love them as well.
i really enjoyed reading this from the perspective of the youngest child. although i couldnt personally relate because i am the oldest child, the vivid details helped the reader understand from the point of view.
Wow, I thought it was tough being the oldest with all the responsibilities that are placed on me but your story gave me another perspective to consider. Thank you for sharing your perspective because now I know how my younger siblings sometimes feel.
I can relate to lot of the things you said Kier, I also sometimes feel like I have a lot of expectations to fill because of how good my sister was at tennis and I sometimes get anxiety that I'll end up as a bust to most people eye but regardless of what people think I just do my best. All we can do is prove them wrong. - Eric Chang
I do agree with you that the youngest in household usually has the hardest time, and that it can sometimes be unfair. I can relate to the traits of being a follower and always wanting to feel like a leader, but as time goes on you will gain those traits. Good job on the blog!
Anthony I know what it feels like being the youngest child in the family, it’s weird doing something that other people a little bit older than you have done as well. Having you siblings for advice is nice but it makes it easier for people to be critical towards you by comparing you to them. I really enjoyed the essay you wrote. -Nathan Brown
Wow, this was very interesting! Ironically enough I'm actually the oldest of my family compared to you being the youngest. I somewhat understood being the youngest of is like, but you gave it a better definition of it. This is like a realization to what my sister sometimes feels like for she is the youngest. Now I know thanks to you! The writing aspect of it was well structured and flowed nicely.
Being the youngest can be tough! Although I can't relate as much because I'm the middle child, expectations from your parents can be a bit unfair but I know you'll do great. Great piece!
Anthony I know how it feels to be the youngest and the challenges that comes with it. My parents always compare me to my older sister, because she is very smart and goes to UCR. Thank you for sharing your experience with us you're not alone in this. Great Job!!
I am the middle child in my family which means I get the best of both worlds I guess. I can relate to how you feel being the youngest and I admit that I sometimes pass on my chores to my younger siblings. Now I can understand what it is like to be the youngest.
Loved this piece. Being the youngest child I can 100% relate to your story. Many people don't know about the struggles that come with being the youngest sibling so I'm really glad you decided to share your experience. Great job! - Don'yale Thomas
Anthony, I can totally relate to this, I am also the youngest in my family. This is beneficial to others who may be the oldest sibling and this can give them a new perspective of their younger siblings.
Anthony, I know exactly how it feels to be the youngest one in the family with older siblings and always having to prove yourself to your parents. Yes it was a difficult times, having to one up my older brother to gain respect from my parents and my brother. Those who are the oldest in the family son't fully understand the struggle that we youngsters go through, but this was a wonderful way of showing your perspective of being the younger sibling in the family and what you have to go through in order to be the top dog. Great job!! -Aaliyah Mallard
Your piece was very heartfelt and well-organized. I loved how clear you expressed your inner struggles about whether you're a capable leader or follower. Your writing was not only entertaining, but very sophisticated, Great Work man!
I’m not the youngest of my family (4/5) but I can relate to some aspects of it. Proving yourself can be a hard thing, especially when it seems an unfair consequence of being the youngest. Your voice is powerful when you use it, and in this piece I really heard what you were saying. Good job!
Being the youngest in my family myself, I can totally and completely understand the character formation because of it. It honestly intrigues me how the order at which we are born affects who and what we are. You captured this concept amazingly! Good job Anthony
Anthony, I really enjoyed your piece and I can really relate to be the youngest in a family. Having to live up my older siblings’ achievements and my parents expectations. It can be really hard sometimes and I felt connected to your words. Great job! -Amber Rich
I completely understand the highs and lows of being the youngest in the family. As I'm maturing I'm still a baby but at the same time I'm a young adult. It was difficult trying to find a balance such as yourself of when to not just simply say yes and do it. Most don't think being the youngest is difficult and it is a cake walk. But your piece demonstrates most of the struggles the younger sibling goes through. Great job!!
Anthony, I really enjoyed reading about what the youngest siblings go throug since I am the oldest in my family. I agree that the order in whihc you were born affects your life greatly, with each having their good and bad sides. I feel like you accurately described your experience and it was in detail allowing me to fully understand your thoughts. Good Job!- Santiago Rodriguez
Anthony, I can relate to the big family, I have two older brothers, two sisters and one younger brother. Believe me when I say I know family can be a pain even when you're trying your hardest to be understanding. The way you describe the chores and unfair treatment within siblings sounds all too familiar. But I'm glad that you take the good with the bad. Sometimes a little isolation helps when you feel overwhelmed. There are many struggles to finding your own identity in a cramped household but have confidence and be your own leader Great job!
This is very interesting for me I'm the oldest sibling out of four. I have a 17 year old sister a 5 year old sister a four year old brother and a 3 year old sister. Growing up my little sister that is now 17 would always be really annoying. One thing I really hated was when my sister would always want it her way or want me to do something for her and she would complain to my mom so my mom would tell me that its ok she's my little sister do what makes her happy. Now that I read your blog I can see that being the youngest isn't the best. I use to wish that I was the youngest. Great Job!!!
-Jasmine Hernandez
Anthony, your work was really genuine and I appreciated that even if I couldnt completly relate myself to your story. Also, I liked your use of emotion to convey your feelings. Fantastic work.
-Braden Bailey
I can definitely empathize with you and being the little baby of the family. I still even get those little sayings where my mother says something along the lines of "my sweet little baby" and man that makes me feel embarrassed. It's a nice thing to be able to accept such things, be able to move on with your life is a necessary ability. Acceptance is key after all.
Great job on your writing Anthony, I liked how you were able to let us in your personal life and give great detail in how you have been raised. I can relate so much with you on trying to live up to people's expectations especially my parents and older siblings as well. I also liked how you were able to look at the positive side and not see yourself being the youngest as a misfortune.
Anthony,
I just want to start off by saying thanks for providing the insight of the youngest child in the family. Unfortunately as the oldest i cannot relate but some of the things you describe your older siblings do to you i do as well without even really knowing the impact it has. This was honestly an amazing piece!
-Kaley Chambers
Couldn't stop reading this work of yours, you really pin your explanation of the feelings of being the youngest child. Many people can relate to this and know that they're not alone, overall great read!
As the youngest member of my family I completely relate to this piece, having to compete with what my sister does so that way my parents will be proud of me is just an everyday struggle, glad to know I'm not alone
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