By The Straits Times | Created at 2026-06-05 10:37:13 | Updated at 2026-06-07 23:26:44
2 days ago
A book in Taiwan on the so-called “eldest daughter syndrome” is now a bestseller translated into other languages.
It looks at how many first-born women in the East Asian society struggle with perfectionism, people-pleasing, burnout, anxiety and other mental health struggles. This often arises from the profound psychological and physical pressures that they face at home.
What is even more insidious is when these traits carry over from the private space to their workplace.
Taiwan correspondent Yip Wai Yee, herself a first-born girl, speaks to foreign editor Li Xueying, another first-born girl, on her personal experience, as well as the question: where is all of this coming from?
Highlights (click/tap above):
1:58 What is the eldest daughter syndrome
4:43 Myth vs social expectations
6:29 Eldest daughter syndrome entrenched in Taiwan society
10:17 How it plays into workplace burnout and boundaries
13:55 Managing guilt and saying no as an eldest daughter
Read Yip Wai Yee’s article here: https://str.sg/jbsK
Read Li Xueying’s articles: https://str.sg/iqmR
Follow Li Xueying on LinkedIn: https://str.sg/ip4x
Sign up for ST’s weekly Asian Insider newsletter: https://str.sg/sfpz
Host: Li Xueying ([email protected])
Edited by: Fa’izah Sani
Executive producer: Ernest Luis
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