Golden Child

Golden Child ek aisa bachcha hota hai jise ek narcissistic parent ya caregiver family mein special, perfect, ya ideal ke roop mein treat karta hai. Narcissistic family system mein yeh role Scapegoat Child ke bilkul opposite hota hai.

🟡 Definition:

Golden Child ko narcissistic parent apne ego ko boost karne ke liye use karta hai. Parent is child ko overpraise karta hai, uspe unrealistic expectations lagata hai, aur isse apni image bana ke rakhta hai. Bahar se lagta hai ki yeh bachcha “perfect” hai, lekin andar hi andar us par kaafi pressure hota hai “ideal image” ko fulfill karne ka.

🟡 Example:

Agar family mein teen bachche hain, to unmein se ek ko parent golden child bana deta hai — uspe har tarah se meherbani hoti hai: best gifts, best treatment, hamesha uski side lena, galtiyan ignore karna. Dusre siblings — jaise Scapegoat Child — ko ulta ignore ya punish kiya jaata hai. Golden child ko sirf isliye chaha jaata hai kyunki wo parent ki image ko reflect karta hai — “dekho mera bachcha kitna best hai.”

🟡 Traits aur Characteristics:

• Excessive praise milna, chahe usne kuch khaas na kiya ho
• Har family decision mein uska opinion matter karna
• Mistakes overlook hona
• Scapegoat sibling ki burai mein parent ka saath dena
• Apne aap ko superior feel karna (parent ki conditioning ke wajah se)
• Apne “role” ke pressure mein anxiety ya identity issues hona

🟡 Narcissistic Abuse ke Pattern mein Role:

Golden Child ka role bhi abuse hi hota hai, lekin disguised hota hai — kyunki ye child ek unrealistic standard par jeene ke liye majboor hota hai. Usse apni asli feelings express karne ki ijazat nahi hoti. Wo hamesha “perfect” banne ki koshish mein rehta hai.

Golden child kabhi kabhi Flying Monkey bhi ban jata hai — jahan wo scapegoat sibling ke against parent ka saath deta hai, ya uske khilaf smear campaign mein participate karta hai.

🟡 Impact in Adulthood:

• Strong guilt ya confusion jab parent abusive ho
• Identity crisis: “Main waise hi hoon jaise parent chahta tha ya waise jaisa main asli mein hoon?”
• Relationship issues: ya to entitled feel karna ya phir approval seek karna
• Kabhi kabhi wo khud bhi narcissistic ban jaata hai ya codependent

🟡 Scapegoat vs. Golden Child: