AITA for not supporting my brother because I ’emotionally damaged’ by being the golden child?
Picture a family where one child shines brighter, showered with gifts and praise, while siblings linger in the shadows. For one 33-year-old man, being the “golden child” wasn’t all glory—it came with guilt and a hefty price tag. After bankrolling his siblings’ education, he’s now facing his youngest brother’s audacious demand for a monthly allowance, claiming “emotional damage” from their parents’ favoritism. The family’s claws are out, and the accusations are flying.
This Reddit tale dives into a tangled web of favoritism, sacrifice, and betrayal. The man’s refusal to fund his brother’s dropout dreams has sparked a firestorm, with parents and sibling loyalties split. It’s a story of breaking free from family expectations, leaving readers wondering: when does helping family cross into enabling? Join us as we unravel this charged sibling showdown.
‘AITA for not supporting my brother because I ’emotionally damaged’ by being the golden child?’
This family drama cuts deep, exposing the scars of parental favoritism. The OP, once the “golden child,” stepped up heroically to fund his siblings’ education, only to face his youngest brother’s entitlement. The brother’s demand for an allowance, citing “emotional damage,” flips the script, casting the OP as the villain for setting boundaries. This isn’t just about money—it’s about breaking a cycle of unfair expectations.
Psychologist Dr. Ellen Weber Libby, author of The Favorite Child, notes, “Favoritism creates a hierarchy that burdens the favored child with guilt and the others with resentment” (source). The OP’s generosity healed some wounds, but his brother’s demand exploits that guilt, ignoring the OP’s own burdens.
A 2023 study in the Journal of Family Issues found that 58% of adults from families with favoritism report strained sibling relationships (source). The OP’s refusal protects his financial and emotional health. He could offer non-financial support, like career guidance, to show care without enabling.
Here’s what the community had to contribute:
The Reddit crew didn’t hold back, serving up some piping-hot takes on this family feud! Here’s what they had to say:
![[Reddit User] − NTA. You made up for your parent’ n**lect of your siblings by paying for school. While it was not your obligation to do so, it was extremely generous and likely healed a bit of hurt from the older sibs. Also, the emotional damage was done by your parents, not you.](https://en.aubtu.biz/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/323973c-06.png)
![[Reddit User] − None of this makes any sense. You're both the overachiever and the disappointment? The hero and the victim? Your parents just handed you the money for your education even though you got a scholarship? They couldn't afford one brother's tuition but took the other on lavish vacations?](https://en.aubtu.biz/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/323973c-08.png)
![[Reddit User] − You've done your best to make amends. Your parents decided to make your younger brother the golden child instead, and he hasn't come to terms with it yet, but at this point he really should have known better. NTA, and make clear to your sister that your younger brother has become the new golden child and that she should be careful hurting herself to help him.](https://en.aubtu.biz/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/323973c-11.png)
These Reddit zingers are bold, but do they hit the mark? Is the OP’s stance a triumph over entitlement or a missed chance to mend family ties?
This story is a rollercoaster of family loyalty and hard-won boundaries. The OP’s journey from golden child to family financier ended with a firm no to his brother’s brazen demand, igniting a firestorm of accusations. It’s a stark reminder that generosity has limits, especially when family roles breed entitlement. Would you fund a sibling’s dropout dreams, or hold the line like the OP? Share your thoughts—how do you navigate family expectations that feel like a trap?
