The document discusses the experience of being the youngest child in a family from the perspective of an 18-year-old named Hannah. Hannah feels that, as the youngest, her opinions are not taken seriously, she is constantly compared to her high-achieving older brother, and she feels smothered and ignored by her family. While traditionally the youngest is seen as spoiled, Hannah argues that the reality is much more complicated, as the youngest does not have the same freedom and attention as their older siblings. The document also provides some perspectives from other children on both the positives and challenges of being the youngest sibling.

1. ENGLISH 4 LISTENING
RELATIONSHIPS
BEING THE YOUNGEST
FROM : EVERYONE'S GOT ONE, BBC2, WEDNESDAY 12 MARCH 1997
1 Now, a lot has been written and said already this year how our place in the family
2 dictates certain characteristics and the youngest child is traditionally seen as spoilt, the
3 apple of everyone's eye, but is it true. Well, Hannah thinks that she's been given a
4 pretty raw deal as the youngest child and she wants us all to think again about being
5 the youngest. She says : 'See it from my side'.
6 I'm Hannah and I'm 18 years old. I'm the youngest of two children. Being the youngest
7 is the biggest nightmare ever. It's not half what it's cracked up to be. I mean, all that
8 stuff about being spoilt and getting all the attention is complete rubbish. Because I'm
9 the youngest nothing I ever say is relevant because you, my family think I'm too young
10 to know. I could be 35 and obviously I wouldn't know what I was talking about because
11 I'm the baby and babies never know anything. Pathetic. You hear me but you never
12 listen. What's worse is I can't do anything original. It's all been done before. So no-one
13 gets excited or involved. When my brother was taking his A-levels I had to tread on egg
14 shells for 3 months and when he had university interviews I didn't even exist as far as
15 you are concerned and now it's my turn nobody seems to care. Maybe that's something
16 to do with the fact that he goes to Cambridge and then I don't think it looks like I'll be
17 joining him. And then that's another thing. Whenever I do do anything, my older
18 brother who has already set a really high standard and it's impossible for me to reach
19 that because he's so clever and I'm the artistic younger one. What really gets me
20 though is that when I'm not being ignored he gives me hell over the most annoying
21 things like when my room needs tidying or something equally trivial and completely
22 pointless. I's only going to get messy again. And of course, you're driving me mad about
23 where I'm going, who with and where. So long as I come home in one piece, does it
24 really matter. I'm not a baby anymore and you're smothering me. I know you love me
25 and I love you too but please, get off my back about the little things and give some
26 attention to the more important things in my life.
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2. ENGLISH 4 LISTENING
RELATIONSHIPS
BROTHERS AND SISTERS - BEING THE YOUNGEST
While you are growing you are always going to be the younger and the smaller than your older brother
or sister. You will not be 'big enough' or 'old enough' yet to do all the exciting things that your older
sibling can do.
BEING THE YOUNGEST
What it's like to be 'the baby' of the family.
These are some things that the younger 'sibs' have said.
She's always telling me what to do.
I never get the new stuff.
I always have to watch her play sport and it's boring.
He gets to stay up later.
She gets to sleep over at friends' places and I don't.
FEELINGS
You may feel that your older brother or sister gets more things, gets more privileges… and shouldn't
be 'the boss of you'.
What to do
Talk to your parents and your older sib. Let them know how you feel and see if you can work things out
together.
What's good about being younger
Of course there are advantages in being the youngest.
You always have someone's attention.
There are lots of toys around for you to
play with.
You have more experienced parents.
You have someone to help you.
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3. ENGLISH 4 LISTENING
RELATIONSHIPS
WHAT SOME CHILDREN SAID ABOUT BEING THE YOUNGEST
I get to play her CD's.
My brother is much older than me so I get things from him as well
as from my parents. I sometimes talk to him but he is normally
sleeping or out somewhere.
Sometimes I get more attention and help from the others.
Adam helps me on the computer.
I couldn't have bubblegum until I was
11 because my brother had choked on
it when he was 3 [he didn't die
though].
I hate it when my brother play fights
with me because I get hurt.
My sister helps me to plait my hair,
When she gets sick of clothes and toys I get them.
My big brother can drive me places.
I'll be the last person to leave school and drive a car.
I have lots of people to care for me.
My older brother talks to me in a rude fashion sometimes.
I get to borrow money off my sister if I'm 'broke'.
TEXT FROM : http://www.cyh.com/cyh/kids
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