In 2022, Eldest Daughter Syndrome went viral on social media. Women from all kinds of backgrounds started sharing what it was like to grow up translating government documents, raising younger siblings, and being their parents' emotional support, often before they were old enough to say no.

Dr. Sandy Lee wrote her dissertation on Chinese American eldest daughters while being one herself. Going in, she expected to find women just like her. Instead, she found a spectrum. On one end were daughters raised with the message that if you don't take care of your family, you're being unfilial. On the other were daughters whose parents never required it, and who, because of that, wanted to give back. Plenty landed somewhere in the middle, moving back and forth depending on the season of life.

She also found that you don't have to be born first to become the eldest daughter. Sometimes the role is simply handed to you. If you're carrying the weight of responsibility, this one's for you.

About Dr. Sandy Lee

Dr. Sandy Lee is a researcher whose doctoral work explores the lived experiences of Chinese American eldest daughters. Her dissertation, built around the question "What is your story of living as a Chinese American eldest daughter?", drew on interviews with seven eldest daughters along with her own reflections as one. The daughter of immigrant parents, Dr. Lee brings both research and lived experience to her work, and shehopes it inspires more eldest daughters to share their stories.

Connect with Dr. Lee
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sandyleephd/?isSelfProfile=false

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