Golden Child
Golden Child refers to a favored person who can do no wrong in someone's eyes—typically a parent's favorite among siblings, or a boss's pet employee.
The golden child receives praise, attention, and opportunities that others don't: My brother was always the golden child; I could never measure up.
In family dynamics discussions, golden child often pairs with scapegoat to describe roles assigned to children in dysfunctional households.
- chosen oneProphesied special individual
- apple of one's eyeOne's most beloved
- wunderkindRemarkably talented youngster
- rising starEmerging person of promise
- star pupilExceptional learner, often praised
halo effect · people pleaser · prodigy · perfectionism · high achiever · giftedness · crown jewel · role model · teacher's pet · heir apparent · pride and joy · treasure trove · diamond in the rough · charisma · ambition · favoritism · sibling rivalry · overachiever
- Pop GroupsBackstreet Boys, NSYNC, Spice Girls, TLC, Boyz II Men
- Asian American TheaterFOB, Chinglish, yellowface
- Coming to Americabarbershop, Queens
Golden Childscapegoat
Unfairly blamed person
black sheep · problem child · whipping boy · neglected child · lost child
Golden Childlost cause
Endeavor certain to fail
failure · disappointment · underachiever · washout · ne'er-do-well
Golden Childpariah
Rejected, shunned person
outcast · troublemaker · delinquent · bad seed · rotten apple
golden, child, gold, gild, gilded, gilding, gilds, gilt, goldsmith