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.
I am a first born/only...I had a younger brother pass away after 6 mo. when I was 2-3. My mom told me I often tried to help with his care, and even changed his diaper in early am when no one else was awake yet. No ETOH in my home.
Specializes in ER,ICU and Progressive Care Unit,Peds.
I'm the 1st born...no ETOH abuse from my father....but lots of drama in my family. My maternal gradfather has abused ETOH my whole life, though. Also, had a whole string of step dads in/out of our house growning up. And my mom worked fulltime mostly 2nd or 3rd shift so I assumed the caretaker role of my brothers, esp my oldest who is 2 yrs younger. I still feel like a caretaker for him. I understand him better than our mom. He too has a ETOH abuse problem r/t PTSD.
I am the youngest of 3 girls, but I am my fathers only biologic child (so his 1st born, plus I am a lot younger than my sisters) my Mom was married previously, but my Dad adopted them when they were married. And my Dad was an alcoholic, he passed away 6 years ago. This is interesting...
Second of four daughters. No ETOH, but my father was a rage-aholic when we were young (thank God he isn't any more) and my older sister assumed the role of the family "son". I was definitely the caretaker/peacemaker/one to smooth things over and make sure everyone else was okay at my own expense.
2nd born, no alcohol but severe mental illness (which I think would be similar to having an alcoholic, with children being left to fend for selves minus the violence of alcoholism)
First born to a single mother with mental problems (therefore, dysfunction) and definitely did the "caretaker role" to my three younger brothers as well as my mother.......
First born of the second set. Father was an alcoholic when young, very abusive to all. Later he became a tee-totaler but kept the abuse. This thread is very thought provoking.
hikernurse
1,302 Posts
First born. No ETOH in my home. My family is fairly functional, but I definitely took care of the younger kids when I was growing up.