Eldest child's responsibilities: Gen Z vs. Millennials

Six years ago, the Bangla drama 'Boro Chele' hit the television screens, starring Mehazabien and Apurba. The storyline revolved around a man who sacrificed his love for the responsibilities he had to fulfil as the eldest child of his family. This tugged at the public's heartstrings, shedding light on the often thankless role of the eldest child in middle-class families.

It's a familiar tale; every family has that one child who shoulders the bulk of the responsibilities, often becoming the apple of their parents' eyes.

Time has marched on, but have the responsibilities changed?

The generational comparisons are ever-present, and in this digital era, they're more visible than ever. Millennials often brand Gen Z as hopeless and immature, while Gen Z fires back, calling Millennials strict and harsh. But when it comes to being the eldest child, which generation truly excels?

Anawar Mozammel belongs to the millennial group. He owns a furniture shop and is the eldest of six siblings, and his family reminisces about his struggles. "Being the eldest child is hard, but it's our duty. If I didn't step up, society would judge me and my parents for not raising me right," he says.

Anawar acknowledges that Gen Z faces similar challenges, albeit on a smaller scale. "During my time, families were larger. It's rare to see families with more than two children."

Azizul Alam, an undergrad student at Southeast University, offers a different perspective. "Generational differences don't change the nature of responsibility. It's situational. Everyone has it hard. I have two sisters and take on their responsibility without hesitation."

Parenting and family dynamics have indeed evolved with Gen Z. Unlike Millennial parents who often expected the eldest child to babysit and manage the household in their absence; Gen Z parents find this expectation unreasonable.

Gen Z is moving away from competitiveness, focusing more on self-love and mental health, and setting boundaries, thereby redefining the responsibilities of the eldest child.

Millennials, the pioneers of the digital age, had to bear the brunt of fixing all the electronic devices at home. Gen Z, growing up with technology, doesn't face this burden since tech-savviness is more widespread among all family members.

Tutoring trends have also shifted; while Millennial siblings often tutored each other, Gen Z relies more on external tutors.

Significant societal changes are evident, particularly in gender roles. While millennial eldest daughters were often groomed for marriage rather than responsibilities, the trend is shifting. More Gen Z females are stepping up, showing that the gender of the eldest child matters less now, a sign of increasing equality in familial responsibilities.

Eldest children have always held a special place in families, being the first to make parents feel like parents and serving as trusted babysitters for younger siblings. The love and shared moments are irreplaceable.

The internet is split between Millennials and Gen Z, with Gen Z dominating the digital landscape. Millennials, however, often see them as shameless, influenced by online personalities.

But what about the millions of Gen Zers beyond the screen? Historically, scepticism towards media isn't new; even during the rise of hippie culture, older generations were wary. Society evolves, and new eras bring new norms. By the end of Generation Beta (2025-2039), we'll see if Gen Z learned to avoid the quick judgments of their predecessors.

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