I have a question and PLEASE dont anybody blast me for typecasting, this was not MY statement, it was a LCSW I was friends with. She claims that a huge % of nurses are first born females of alcoholic fathers. Something to do with the fact that as the first born in dysfunction family of origin you are a caregiver from the get-go. Now my father was not an alcoholic, but I am a first born. I was wondering how many of us are first-borns. (Also, she said this to me a long time ago, and I have lost touch with her, so I cannot ask her where the heck she got her information was) I was just starting school at the time and didnt really fight with her about it, just kind of gave her one of the Hmmm, thats an interesting opinion.... answers. Also, she meant it as a compliment, that we take a difficult beginning and build on our strengths and turn them into a career.
Third, sixth, or ninth, depending on how you count. (It's a long story) Anyway, I'm the youngest. No alcoholism in my family, but dysfunction abounded.
I'm an only child. We are supposed to be like the oldest but amplified. No alcoholism in my family, but some mental illness. I was, indeed, a 'caretaker' for my parents while I was growing up.
Almost the baby. Youngest girl. Dad had a cumulative total of two glasses of wine that I can remember over my thirteen years that he was alive. Mom occasional glass of wine or mixed drink at special occasions. Not the caregiver, everyone spoiled me a little actually.
RN, First born of 3 girls. Father was alcoholic, dysfunctional family. My 1st is girl-OK, 2nd is boy-flirted w/ drugs, etoh.pretty ok now-his ex- wife is alcoholic.
Mid sister 6 years younger than I-systems analyst, is alcoholic, her first child is alcohol/narcotic addicted-bipolar, her 2nd child is dental hygienist.
youngest sister 11 yr younger than I, 5 years younger than middle sis is not in healthcare, her 1st child is English teacher, her 2nd child is bipolar alcoholic.
We seriously believe there is a male pattern to etoh and acting out. What does your LMSW have to say about that?
Firstborn daughter of two, father never drank, parents were clean-living hippies (no drugs, our own vegetable garden, homemade bread and stringing lovebeads for fun). Mother started drinking when I was 12 when she walked out on us, so yes I was caretaker after that. Still am although my 33 year old sister is grown up now.
Halinja, BSN, RN
453 Posts
Third, sixth, or ninth, depending on how you count. (It's a long story) Anyway, I'm the youngest. No alcoholism in my family, but dysfunction abounded.