I Want an Elder Daughter

Written in a parallel to I Want a Wife by Judy Brady

I belong to the classifica0on of people known as daughters. I am An Elder Daughter. And, not altogether incidentally, I am a sister.

While talking to my family at the dining table a couple nights ago, I came to the revelation that I would like to have an elder daughter. Why do I want an elder daughter?

I would like to come home after a long day at work, and have my older daughter have everything taken care of. I want a daughter to go to school and get good grades. I want a daughter to know what is required for her. I want a daughter that goes to a good university. I want a daughter who is respectful to her elders. I want a daughter who voices out her opinions in any and every situation. I want a daughter who is an emotional support for everyone in the family. I want a daughter I can trust, one who knows and understands the family problems. I want a daughter I can burden with my problems. I want a daughter that listens. I want a daughter that would give me advice. I want a daughter who teaches me. I want a daughter who doesn’t keep big secrets. I want a daughter that gets along with family friends. I want a daughter who takes action on her own initiative. I want a daughter who I can gossip with. I want a daughter who I can go shopping with. I want a daughter that does what I am unable to do. I want a daughter who is in touch with her culture. I want a daughter who is proud of her roots. I want a daughter that is also integrated in American culture.

When I am old, I want my daughter to be there for me. 

My god, who wouldn’t want a daughter?

Comments

  1. Adeline AlexFebruary 25, 2024 at 6:01 PM

    I think you did a really good job of imitation the style of the piece, as well as recreating the hypocritical desires of someone who would want an elder daughter. It also puts into light for me, an only child, of the pressures I don’t have to face just because I don’t have siblings.

    ReplyDelete
  2. AnonymousFebruary 25, 2024 at 6:58 PM

    I like how as you progressed through the 'I want' list the demands became more closely related to your culture.

    ReplyDelete
  3. Jessica DuncanFebruary 25, 2024 at 8:20 PM

    I liked how some of your examples seemed contradictory and showed how some expectations are truly unattainable. This post really illustrated the many components of being an elder daughter that sometimes are unrealistic.

    ReplyDelete

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