Specialist Spotlight: Parental favoritism and its impact on family dynamics and mental health

Professor Alexander Jensen discusses parental favoritism and its impact on family dynamics, highlighting that both mothers and fathers tend to favor daughters, potentially due to social and evolutionary factors. The study suggests that children who receive less favorable treatment may experience negative mental health and behavioral outcomes, including increased risk-taking and lower self-esteem. The discussion also touches on how favoritism can persist into adulthood, influencing sibling relationships, caregiving responsibilities, and even long-term physical health.