In Madagascar, being the eldest daughter often means shouldering the heaviest burdens—from caregiving to sacrificing education for family survival. New research shows that firstborns, especially in low-income households, transition into adulthood earlier than their siblings, often leaving school sooner, entering the workforce earlier, and marrying younger. While later-born children benefit from more parental investment in education, eldest daughters bear a “double burden”—emotional responsibility and economic sacrifice. Unlike wealthier countries where firstborns gain cognitive advantages, Madagascar’s extended family networks and cultural values like fihavanana offer resilience but not full relief. The findings spotlight how poverty, not just tradition, limits opportunity and how family dynamics can silently shape futures.
The Conversation
