Viral Through Taylor Swift's Song, What Is Eldest Daughter Syndrome?

Taylor Swift. ( Instagram/taylorswift)

JAKARTA - Taylor Swift recently released her latest album entitled The Life of a Showgirl. One of the songs on the album entitled "Eldest Daughter" went viral and stole the public's attention.

After the song was released, it has now gone viral again regarding Eldest Daughter Syndrome. This is not a medical diagnosis, but a popular term that describes the psychological and social burden experienced by the eldest daughter.

This burden was felt by the first daughter due to pressure on responsibility, high expectations, and difficulty setting boundaries in the family.

The first girl is often required to take care of her younger siblings, be role models, and manage family emotions that can cause stress and anxiety.

"The oldest girls in a family often take care of household chores more, even the emotional burden of their brothers and sisters, and can find themselves in the role of parents," said licensed marriage and family therapist Kati Morton, quoted by Women's Health, on Wednesday, October 8, 2025.

Parents tend to have higher expectations for their eldest child, especially women. Demanded by such a high standard also makes the first child feel that failure is not an option.

"There is a lot of pressure put on you to be very successful, or make a lot of money, or excel at school," he added.

There are several signs that a first girl experienced Eldest Daughter Syndrome, as follows:

- Feelings are always responsible for others- The tendency to please others- Often worried or experiencing high anxiety- Looking for external validation- Upset with parents and siblings- Difficulty establishing and maintaining boundaries- Feelings of guilt- Fear of getting into trouble or breaking the rules

The syndrome of the first girl should be handled properly. This is because if it continues, it can cause difficulties for the child to identify his own desires and lives in the future.

"This can be difficult in the future because you may find it difficult to identify what you want, or put yourself first," he continued.

To overcome this syndrome, there are several things that first girls can do.

Starting from, setting clear boundaries with family, prioritizing personal care and personal needs, delegationing responsibilities to other family members, and seeking support through positive communities or professional consultations.