Is it normal to have a favorite son?

"...He doesn't excel at school but doesn't fail. Shouldn't he love them equally?..."

He should love them equally even if one of them was retarded. But yes, it's absolutely normal to have favorites among one's children. Not that I'm OK with it, but I see it everywhere, so yes, it's "normal".

It's normal to have a favourite, but a good parent will recognise the need to be fair in their distribution of care and attention; the other child should not be penalised for this preference and given less.

That sort of preferential paternal treatment is indicative of a deep seated sexual attraction. He's more than likely sodomising him deep in his anus, you should contact the local authorities to have him arrested immediately, before he starts bumming even his ugly child

This seems to be a somewhat common occurrence, but just because it's common doesn't mean that it's right. I don't agree with this because of the negative impact it will put on the unfavourite offspring. How does his mother feel for him or is she also into picking favourites?

That's not right. There might be some unspoken understandings among some families, but you don't just outright come out and say it. That's harsh.

Yes. He should love them equally. This is a very sad story.

sad that he tells the other child about his favourtism too. hope the younger son doesnt grow up resentful and go shoot a bunch of pre schoolers coz daddy didnt love him enuf.

It's perfectly normal to have a favorite child because every parent does(I'm not a parent but i'm speaking from experience and just people i know) what's not so normal is he has no remorse in rubbing it in their faces. It's just not right but like I said secretly everybody has a favorite. hell I could list the family favorites in my family right here and right now. My mom favors my lil bro. My dad favors me and my grandfather favors my big bro. It's sad but its just how things are.

That's really sad. Family are supposed to love each other equally. It shouldn't matter that the younger son is less athletic or doesn't do as well in school, he brought them both into this world.

He's a bitch.

That's really fucked up. I grew up in a similar environment only the youngest was the favorite. Well I really hope everything works out for the younger one and he just needs to motivate himself and prove his father wrong.

Unfortunately it happens a lot. I seem to be my dads favorite because i did better in school, didn't rebel as much and i don't have a chemical imbalance. In my bf's family, his brother is the favorite because he is more social (and more annoying). The thing is, its not fair. It seems to be the more aggressive parent or guardian who does this, i guess because of too much pride. I hope, if I ever have a second child, i never get caught up in the favorites thing. But, as it is, i cannot imagine having a better blessing than my daughter and the thought of raising another to be just as brilliant (so far.lol) seems unattainable.

hmmm..I guess someone could have a favourite child..I mean we're human, it could happen..it's like emotions, you just can't help it..but there are two problems with your story, first, your brother's reasons seem to be all wrong or silly :S I mean "smarter, popular, athletic", what is that? I thought someone might have a special place in their heart for one of their children, if they could depend on that son/daughter, if that child helped them at some point of their lives, if they take care of you, if it is a child with some problem perhaps..like he's not as happy or healthy as the rest, etc. But the scenario you've mentioned sounds to me like a junior idolizing a high-school senior or sth :D

2nd thing, now I feel for the 2nd son :( It is always hard to be a middle/second child, because mostly the eldest is the one who take all their parents' attention. By the time they get a 2nd or 3rd child, it's nothing new, and so they let those children depend on themselves. The 2nd son might be "mellow" like you said, because his dad doesn't shower him with the same interest, he might have low self-esteem too..and apparently he is not outspoken or the type of person who would ask for help (that's what I got from your words). Maybe he's intimidated by his parents' lack of interest or encouragment. You should draw your brother's attention to that..He might unintentionally be depressing or disappointing his son..It might either affect his personality negatively or it might make him rebel against his family later :S

People are fickle by nature; as restless as the waves of the ocean.

There's no law out there that says they must be fair.