A new research study has revealed what many parents might hesitate to admit: they do, in fact, have a “favorite child.” Keep reading to find out the results!

According to HuffPost, researchers from Brigham Young University and Western University pulled from 30 peer-reviewed journal articles and dissertation/theses, along with 14 databases, for their meta-analysis of “parental differential treatment,” in other words, the ways that parents treat siblings differently.

Researchers categorized parents’ actions into categories of “differential affection, differential conflict, differential resources — like how much time you spend with your kids or things that you give to them — as well as differential autonomy or freedom — like how much leeway you give kids,” Alex Jensen, one of the study’s authors, told HuffPost in a recent interview.

Jensen told the outlet that the result of their study found that in terms of gender, “daughters tend to be favored, and that was across the board.” The research shows that both mothers and fathers tended to show differential treatment for daughters.

Outside of gender, Jensen states that “agreeable or conscientious children tend to be favored. That’s also across the board.” In terms of birth order, surprisingly enough, first-born children are the ones that parents seem to favor with “more freedom and autonomy.”

Being the favored child in a family can come with several perks, both tangible and emotional. While favoritism in family dynamics can have complex implications, those who experience it do definitely enjoy certain advantages

“[Children who are favored] tend to have better mental health, do better in school, have better family relationships. They’re less likely to engage in substance use than other teenagers. They get in less trouble at school and home,” Jensen said in his interview.

Yet, it is important to remember, that children who are not favored are more likely to have negative outcomes. Additionally, too much of a good thing, so to speak, for the “favored child,” may actually be a bad thing.

Parents can certainly make an effort to spread favor equally among all their children, creating a fair and supportive environment for everyone. By fostering an environment of fairness, respect, and individualized attention, parents can ensure each child feels equally valued.