To say that youngest siblings (of larger families) are worse than only children

[Lemonsqueasy]

This is lighthearted, and, disclaimer, I'm an only child. Was just struggling to think of any only children I know who actually fit the spoilt, selfish stereotype.
I do, however, know three examples of people who are the youngest of 4 or 5 and are, although v intelligent and charismatic, quite self centred and immature. Interested to know anyone else's experience with these two demographics.

It is very easy to baby your last child but it’s just another generalisation... no need to race to the bottom!

I disagree, my youngest is a very kind and generous young person. As are others I know.
It’s another daft generalisation.

Ah yeah I realise this sounds like I'm criticising children.. I mean once they're adults.

DH is the eldest of four sons. His youngest brother is absolutely spoilt and a total brat, even at 21.
DH has a theory that by the time IL's had BIL4 (2DS, 10 year gap and then another two) they were just knackered and had given up on actual parenting.

Is it common? No idea. Is my experience the same as OP's? Yes, but a very limited sample.

Hmm...I've never thought about this and (although all the only children I know are lovely) I've just realised the most badly behaved kids I know are all:

A) Youngest of 3/4/5
B) a different sex to their older siblings

You're maybe onto something there OP!

It’s not necessarily the youngest child but the one the parents assumed would be the youngest who tends to be a spoiled mess. My youngest sibling was mostly raised by my sister and I and so wasn’t really spoiled at all - we used to have him run errands for us or help with chores as soon as he was old enough. My third sibling, however, was the prodigal son born years after my sister and I (and there is close to a decade between him and the youngest) and he was spoiled rotten. To the point where it can be unbearable to be around him - my sil is a saint to put up with him in my opinion.

My DH sister (youngest of 4 and only girl). Most self centred and spoiled person I've met! Can do no wrong in my PIL's eyes.... she's 35!!!!

My youngest brother is the nicest, most sensible, polite, and least self centred person I know.

I'm the youngest of five and I can say with certainty that I'm more responsible, capable, trustworthy and more mature than my siblings. I had older parents who didn't have time for a surprise child and I was left to my own devices or to look after my siblings kids more than anything else. I rather resent my family for the position they put me in as a child and the attitude they have towards me now, were low contact due to their treatment of me and the expectations that they have of me. I'm somehow the savior and scapegoat. My sisters can do no wrong despite having caused all sorts of trouble for my mother while I'm at uni, working hard and actively trying to do something with my life. I still financially support my family where I can because it feels irresponsible not to.

The most spoiled person I know is the only daughter of a family with two sons who will happily tell you that she never thinks about how her behavior or actions affect others and thinks she should be the center of everyone's universe. I was brought up to think that its wrong for me to be even the center of my own universe.

My husband is one of 5 boys and his youngest brother (late 20s) is an entitled, lazy, immature, indulgent brat. His parents and older brothers endlessly coddle him so much so that he is living in his mother's basement and receiving pocket money from his father while he faffs around doing an arts degree. He will often make big plans only to drop them when it gets too hard and will never speak of it again. His family have purchased him a boat and lent him money for a brand new SUV so he can go off and do his hobbies.

On the other hand my brother who is the youngest sibling has been taught to be responsible for himself. He is turning out to be very thoughtful and considerate of other people. With 5 older sisters keeping him in line he wouldn't dream of behaving like a lazy fucker. We all love him to bits.

Eldest of five and to be honest, my youngest sibling was very spoilt from birth but is also my favorite sibling because he is very kind, modest and caring by nature.

My sister, who is the second child, on the other hand....

I'm the youngest of 8 (big Irish Catholic family), I am not immature etc, in fact it would be fair to say I am very thoughtful, kind, considerate and I put all of my family first. I can't always say the same of my siblings, most of whom are considerably older than me.

I will be honest and say me, my sister and my brother where all spoilt. But with my brother the youngest who’s still 16 he’s the most spoilt because he has me and my sister who he is a bit spoilt by as well (quite a close family he comes to stay with me in London a few times a year when school is off), but I can say he is 100% not lazy, rude and immature in fact he’s kind and caring, none of us are immature and lazy. Not all kids who have parents that spoil them are lazy and immature.

My youngest sibling(out of 5)is the nicest of all of us(Inclusive of myself!) Very patient,understanding and above all alway kind. Not a single bad bone in their body and very humble.
My other siblings though honestly sometimes drive me mad!

I'm the youngest of five, with a considerable age gap. In some ways I was spoilt as a child - my older siblings took me for days out, trips to the cinema, bought me lovely birthday presents etc.

But I absolutely was not spoilt in terms of not having to take responsibility for myself. It was like having four extra parents, always correcting my behaviour and reporting back to my actual parents.

As middle aged adults, our family has fallen apart with them all fighting with each other and it's left to me to look after our remaining parent and play peacemaker for everyone, as they all still love me despite despising each other. They exhaust me.

I am youngest of 6 and the only female.

I was spoilt with love definitely not just from my parents but my big brother's. I have a great relationship with my brother's and my parents and in no way do i feel immature or entitled and i was far from a spoilt brat. If any of my brothers have a problem they always call me first we always help each other out

Yes and no. Certainly yes in my family! I think that by the time the last one of a big bunch arrives, firstly you’ve become quite a lax parent, and secondly you have quite an age gap between the eldest and youngest so the older ones also tend to indulge and baby you.

That stereotype about only children was debunked a long time ago. It originally came from something written by a Victorian doctor.

Most spoiled people I know are only children.

DH is the youngest of four siblings by 13 years (2M 2F is it's relevant) Eldest DSis is the worst by a mile, spoilt, self centred, drama queen, who sulks like a toddler if she doesn't get her own way, at 63!

DH on the other hand, is kind, generous, selfless and just generally lovely,

The DSis & DB in between are somewhere in between the both of them!

When I think about it, the most spoiled people I know are either eldest boys, or girls with more than one brother and no sisters

I can definitely see in my ILs that it feels like MIL and FIL gave up on parenting the youngest child, he's a complete Peter Pan even though he's the same age as me.

Not an excuse but FIL was 70 by the time he was born and he was his 6th child (MIL's third). I think FIL had run out of steam to parent by then!

There is a tendency to be babied within the family yes, but assuming you get a job, leave home, live your life - well no one else is going to treat you like their baby sister so you'd get over it pretty quickly?
I, personally, am lovely and kind, and very quick to put myself out for others so I'm guessing not spoilt

I am an only child and was never spoiled, I was constantly reminded not to think I was important and if anything was slightly neglected.

My DH is the youngest of 3 boys and is the most responsible and not spoiled at all. The other two are quite babied by MIL even now they're mid 30s and 40. His eldest brother though is the most self centred and entitled human being I've ever met.

I have 3 DC. 12 & 10 year old DDs and a 4 year old DS. The youngest is by far the worst. His behaviour is so much worse than the older 2 ever wear. He's a bit of a brat TBH. We don't treat him any differently as far as I'm aware but he is an absolute nightmare. Very loving but in every other way he is very challenging. I'm an only child and I was always a well behaved child so yes, there might be something in it!