S2E74: Nature or nurture? What is behind the ‘Eldest Daughter Syndrome’

About this episode

The episode explores the psychological and societal pressures faced by first-born daughters in East Asia, particularly focusing on the 'eldest daughter syndrome'.

Being uber-responsible, people-pleasing and a perfectionist are traits that first-born girls in Asia purportedly have. Synopsis: Every first Friday of the month, The Straits Times catches up with its foreign correspondents about life and trends in the countries they're based in. A book in Taiwan on the so-called “eldest daughter syndrome” is now a bestseller translated into other languages.  It looks at how many first-born women in the East Asian society struggle with perfectionism, people-pleasing, burnout, anxiety and other mental health struggles. This often arises from the profound psychological and physical pressures that they face at home. What is even more insidious is when these traits carry over from the private space to their workplace.  Taiwan correspondent Yip Wai Yee, herself a first-born girl, speaks to foreign editor Li Xueying, another first-born girl, on her personal experience, as well as the question: where is all of this coming from? Highlights (click/tap above): 1:58 What is the eldest daughter syndrome 4:43 Myth vs social expectations 6:29 Eldest daughter syndrome entrenched in Taiwan society 10:17 How it plays into workplace burnout…

People in this episode

Host: Li Xueying

Guest: Yip Wai Yee

Topics covered

• eldest daughter syndrome
• mental health
• cultural expectations
• workplace burnout
• gender roles
• first-born daughters

Keywords

• eldest daughter syndrome
• Taiwan
• mental health
• perfectionism
• people-pleasing
• burnout
• anxiety

Mentioned in this episode

Organizations: The Straits Times, SPH Media

Books & works: eldest daughter syndrome

Places: Taiwan, East Asia

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