Introduction

Family is the basic unit in African society. In fact, it gives married people, especially those with children, an important place. The elders, who are considered mature, call on the whole family to make decisions. However, the first child born from a marriage is already charged with responsibilities he or she is unaware. What role does the eldest child play in the family? The eldest child is often seen as the third parent, the role model and the friend.

A friend

The eldest child in the family is the first-born child of a couple. He/she embodies the values, pride and hopes of both parents. However, life’s ups and downs and the couple’s desires bring other children into the world. From then on, this child becomes a big brother or sister. It’s easy to see that beyond the blood relationship, a friendly relationship develops between the children. Indeed, the elder child is the friend to whom the younger ones can tell the stories their parents won’t listen to. An example would be arguments with other children in the neighborhood or on the playground. The friendly bond between them is strengthened to such an extent that it almost becomes an example to follow.

A model to follow

Choosing an example to follow is essential to avoid irreversible mistakes in one’s life. The eldest child in the family, who has had a brilliant career, is seen as a role model. The other children envy him/her, because their parents are full of praise. Indeed, he/she is praised for his/her academic prowess, exemplary behavior towards those around him/her, and self-sacrifice in giving the best of him/herself. Like parents, siblings see the first child as an example to be emulated.

The third parent

In the family, the eldest child is often considered the third parent. From childhood, the first-born is charged with responsibilities to meet the demands of life. Sometimes, he/she makes decisions for his/her siblings in place of the parents. Siblings are likely to listen to and follow the advice of the elder sibling.

Conclusion

The presence of a child brings happiness to a family, whatever its position. However, it’s a fact that the eldest child in the family plays a crucial role in family dynamics. He/she is seen by all as a surrogate parent, a role model and a friend to turn to at every stage of life. Parents therefore need to establish a healthy harmony between their children to avoid unhealthy rivalries or internecine wars within the family.