Nature or Nurture? What Is Behind the ‘Eldest Daughter Syndrome’ | Asian Insider Podcast
Why It Matters
Understanding this syndrome highlights structural gender inequalities that affect labor distribution, workforce participation and demographic trends in Taiwan; addressing it matters for policy on family support, gender equity and efforts to raise the birth rate.
Summary
In a podcast discussion, Straits Times Taiwan correspondent Yayi and host Lisha Ying explore the rise of “eldest daughter syndrome” in Taiwan, where firstborn daughters shoulder disproportionate emotional and caregiving responsibilities. Prompted by a bestselling Taiwanese book and widespread reader response, they link the pattern not to birth-order determinism but to social and gendered expectations that assign domestic and care work to women. Guests describe how the role shapes workplace behavior, boundary issues, guilt and resentment, and can influence decisions around marriage and childbearing. The phenomenon is framed as part of broader debates about Taiwan’s low birth rate and persistent traditional gender roles despite the country’s progressive image.
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