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  Dystopic Sibling: How Parental Favouritism Erodes Family Bonds 2.0 Breaking the Cycle Addressing the destructive dynamics of parental favouritism requires intentional and sustained effort. Here are practical steps toward healing and prevention: Awareness and Reflection: Parents must first recognize their biases and actively work to treat all children equitably. Self-examination is essential; only when biases are acknowledged can change begin. Open Communication: Families thrive on honest and safe conversations where feelings of neglect, anger, and resentment can be expressed without fear. Healing becomes possible when everyone involved acknowledges their role. In cases where both parents are deceased, extended family elders can help mediate and facilitate reconciliation. Counseling and Support: Therapy can be an invaluable tool for healing emotional wounds and rebuilding trust among siblings. However, in societies like Nigeria, where trauma and counseling are often dismissed, vic...

Dystopic Sibling: How Parental Favoritism Erodes Family Bonds Introduction Parental favoritism is more than just a fleeting passing —it can profoundly shape the emotional landscape of a family. When one child is consistently favored over others, it can create invisible fault lines that fracture sibling relationships and leave lasting psychological scars. This article explores how such favoritism can transform ordinary sibling rivalry into deeply destructive dynamics. The Family Example Consider a family with five children. From an early age, the mother openly dislikes one of the child , showing minimal affection or support. The other siblings, consciously or unconsciously influenced by this bias, begin to mirror her feelings. What might have started as minor disagreements turns into sustained hostility. Even when the neglected child attempts gesture of kindness or reconciliation, these efforts are met with rejection, resentment, and at times, cruelty. Over time, the neglected chi...