Challenges of Being the Younger Brother

Being the younger brother can be hard for a few common reasons—especially growing up:

1. Constant comparisons You often get compared to your older sibling: “Why aren’t you

more like your brother?” That can make you feel like you’re always behind or never quite enough.

2. Living in someone else’s shadow Your older brother may already be known

as “the smart one,” “the athletic one,” or “the responsible one,” which can make it tough to

form your own identity. 3. Less freedom, more rules Parents usually

learn from their first child, so younger siblings often get stricter rules—or at least

it feels that way. You might hear, “Your brother never did that.” 4.