History Main / ParentalFavoritism

* ''Manga/{{Lady}}'': Grandparent example: Duke Woburn prefers Sarah and lets her live at his castle because unlike Lynn (half-Japanese), she's fully white. Lynn instead has to live with her distant aunt, Isabelle Montgomery.

* Harry Osborn from the ''Film/SpiderManTrilogy'' films, ''ComicBook/UltimateSpiderMan'' and ''WesternAnimation/TheSpectacularSpiderMan'', which is an interesting case since he is an only child. His father Comicbook/NormanOsborn sees Harry's friend Peter as being more gifted, intelligent and hard-working, often chiding Harry for not being as sucessful as Peter. This dynamic wasn't present in the original comics, but was put in afterwards after the success of the other iterations. It gets even worse for Harry, as not only does Norman favor his ArchEnemy over him, but he also cares more about his grandson Normie. Norman even chooses to infect Normie with the Carnage symbiote and tries to get him to kill his own parents before Harry and Peter stop them. The reason why Norman prefers others over his own son is likely due to Norman's own twisted MightMakesRight philosophy that is at odds with Harry, who is all-around meek NiceGuy with no super powers, so naturally he doesn't fit Norman's evil values.

** [[ComicBook/{{Nightwing}} Dick Grayson (Robin I/Nightwing)]] has been noted to be Batman's favored son, being the first ComicBook/{{Robin}}, the easiest to get along with, and, as Batman himself notes, possessed the qualities none of the other Robins will ever have. He understands Bruce's teachings the most, came into his own as a hero, and while as skilled as Bruce, can still make friends and keep them, something Bruce can't do. It's to the point that Bruce has shown an absolute willingness to kill for him multiple times, something he doesn't show for ''anyone else''. After Bruce "died" in ''ComicBook/FinalCrisis'', Dick became Batman against his wishes. When he returned, he reacted pretty well to it, to the point that it's just ''common knowledge'' among the Batfamily that Dick will take over when Bruce is unable to be Batman. There have been several times that Batman has shut out members of the Batfamily for one reason or another, however, he only rarely does this to Dick, who he trusts the most. Although Bruce tries to hide it, everyone in not only the Batfamily but the entire DCU knows that Dick is Bruce's favorite son, partner, and colleague.

** [[Characters/MarvelComicsMagneto Magneto]] cares more about ComicBook/ScarletWitch than ComicBook/{{Quicksilver}} as he never truly gives Pietro praise and considers him foolish and arrogant. While he sets a high standard for his son, he is more affectionate with Wanda and blames Pietro if they go against him, even if it was her choice. However, Magneto [[DependingOnTheWriter may]] actually equally favour his biological daughter Lorna Dane aka ComicBook/{{Polaris}}, due to Lorna inheriting his [[MagnetismManipulation magnetism powers]]. Magneto even displays outright physical affection to Lorna (including [[AffectionateGestureToTheHead forehead kissing]]), something Pietro and Wanda rarely get from him. Still, ''ComicBook/XMenRed2022'' suggests neither Wanda or Lorna are actually his favourite daughter [[spoiler:an honour that goes to Anya, Magneto's deceased first child, despite her being completely human.]] However, the emphasis on her may be because of the reveal just beforehand via the creation of the Waiting Room by [[spoiler: Wanda]] at the end of ''The Trial Of Magneto'' that [[spoiler: she was human and therefore can't be resurrected]].

* Sarah is blatantly the favourite child in ''WesternAnimation/EdEddNEddy'', being [[SpoiledBrat spoiled]] rotten by her parents while they ignore and neglect Ed, who, ironically, is ''much'' nicer than his little sister. It's implied that their mother wanted to have a firstborn daughter, not a firstborn son, as it's made clear through Ed's statments that his mom favors girls over boys to the point where his mom forbids him to fight girls, such as the Kanker Sisters during a wrestling match.

*** While she loves all of her children dearly, there are hints that Molly regards Percy as her favourite, seeing as she continuously tries to reach out to him even after the rest of the family consider him a lost cause after siding with the Ministry. A theory is that Molly seems aware that the family see Percy as [[ButtMonkey a pushover]], hence why she overcompensates so he'll feel loved.

* In ''Manga/{{Naruto}}'' we see in the flashbacks that Fugaku Uchiha preferred his older, genius son Itachi to the younger Sasuke, saying several times to Sasuke that he wanted Sasuke to become a shinobi like Itachi.
** The situation eventually turns around completely after Itachi is suspected of murdering Shisui [[spoiler: which he did (except that he really didn't; Shisui really did commit suicide, albeit it, with Itachi's help)]]. After Sasuke masters the fireball technique, Fugaku tells him ''not'' to follow Itachi's footsteps.

** Likewise, Hiashi Hyuga preferred his younger daughter Hanabi, as he believed Hinata lacked any real talent, especially when compared to her genius cousin Neji (the son of Hiashi's twin brother). After Neji loses his fight against Naruto, Hiashi's attitude starts to change and he softens up to both Hinata and Neji.

* Ootori Kyouya is a victim of a subtle version in ''Manga/OuranHighSchoolHostClub''. As the youngest of three sons in a rich family, he is expected by his father to perform at respectable standards, but never to do anything to one-up his brothers, who will inherit the Ootori business empire.
** His sister also seems to get this treatment to some extent. She's admonished for returning home when she is happily married and has no real business to be there. This has the Ootori family fulfill two of the criteria. She, however, seems to ignore it and act cheery nonetheless, going out with Tamaki on occasion to explore the world of commoner cuisine.
** A similar fate befalls Azuma Yunoki in ''La Corda d'Oro'', who is forced to give up playing piano by his [[EvilMatriarch grandmother]] because he's better at it than his two older brothers; as he says, "My place is always below my brothers." Most a result of Japanese cultural values, and seems [[ValuesDissonance wildly unfair to Western readers]]. Azuma develops [[SplitPersonality a bit of a psychological problem]] as a result (which means it's supposed to seem unfair to the original audience, as well).

* ''Literature/TheCampHalfBloodSeries''

** Ron certainly feels for a long time like this is the case, although readers generally see no evidence of it; his parents clearly love him. Among his many insecurities, he frets about being the sixth boy in a family that always wanted a girl. Being the best friend of an actual celebrity, who is treated by his parents as an extra son, doesn't exactly help. The fact that he got plenty of hand-me-downs from his older brothers (due to his family being poor) might also play a part in this perception.

*** However, there is indicated to be some truth to it; a few characters muse that while Wanda probably loves both equally, Hermione's [[UncannyFamilyResemblance startling resemblance to her mother]] and shared powers remind Wanda of two extremely painful periods in her life (when her powers came through and nearly drove her mad, and when she had to give up Hermione). This plus her relatively uncomplicated relationship with Harry makes him ''easier'' to love. To Wanda's credit, she comes to acknowledge and is ashamed of her unintentional DoubleStandard, apologizing to Hermione for letting her fears get in the way of doing right by her daughter.

** WordOfGod states that Ariel has always been Triton's favorite daughter. He sees much of himself in her; she has red hair like him when he was younger and she is strong-willed and independent personality-wise. Her [[StrongFamilyResemblance almost uncanny resemblance to her late mother]] may also play a role in this favoritism.

* ''WesternAnimation/UnicornWars'': {{Downplayed|Trope}}. When Bluey and Tubby unit stop by a town to see their family and friends before leaving to go to war, their father expresses Pride in both his sons, saying that their mother would be proud of them and give each of his sons a pie that was made from there mother's recipe. Bluey received almost the whole pie, while Tubby just received a slice, and he was shown not to be happy about this. Despite that, Bluey and Tubby's father was praising both of his sons; aside from that moment doesn't seem to favor either of his sons and shows love for both of his sons. It's possible he gave Tubby the shorter piece because he was concerned with his weight problems, as others pointed out that Tubby is overweight.

** Yondu from ''Film/GuardiansOfTheGalaxy2014'' as a FatherToHisMen, in particular, cared for Peter aka Starlord more than other Ravagers, though Yondo had trouble admitting it to him. [[NumberTwo First Mate]] Kraglin Obfonteri in ''[[Film/GuardiansOfTheGalaxyVol2 Vol. 2]]'' is not fooled and calls out the favoritism Yondu shows Peter when the Ravagers were hunting the Guardians down on behalf of Ayesha.

* ''Film/KapoorAndSons'': Between their two sons, Harsh and especially Sunita like Rahul more because he found success in his writing career (unlike Arjun). It's why he's reluctant to [[spoiler:come out as gay to them, since they think so highly of him [[BrokenAce but it wears on him throughout the film]]]].

* ''Literature/MoDaoZuShi'':
** Jin Guangshan doesn't particularly ''care'' about ''any'' of his children, but his legitimate-born son Jin Zixuan certainly fares better than bastards Meng Yao/Jin Guangyao and Mo Xuanyu. Even after the latter two are brought into the sect, they're frequently browbeaten, insulted, neglected, and coerced into performing immoral acts trying to win his non-existent approval.
** The Yunmeng Jiang sect's inner family has a complicated version. Jiang Fengmian favors the-not-even-formally-adopted Wei Wuxian over both of his biological children, and while Yu Ziyuan frequently calls him on it, her hatred of the boy doesn't mean she ''favors'' Jiang Cheng so much as she's constantly castigating him for not doing better at getting his father to notice him.

** Carol's father favours his youngest child, Joe junior, over his quiet and artistic middle child, Stevie, and Carol, his tomboyish daughter, because Joe is the AllAmericanBoy and thus fits his heavily gendered expectations for how his children should behave. Stevie wilts under this treatment, while Carol straight up hates him. However, neither has any real issues with Joe junior.

*** However, there is indicated to be some truth to it; a few characters muse that while Wanda probably loves both equally, Hermione's [[UncannyFamilyResemblance startling resemblance to her mother]] and shared powers remind Wanda of two extremely painful periods in her life (when her powers came through and nearly drove her mad, and when she had to give up Hermione). This plus her relatively uncomplicated relationship with Harry makes him easier to love. To Wanda's credit, she comes to acknowledge and is ashamed of her unintentional DoubleStandard, apologizing to Hermione for letting her fears get in the way of doing right by her daughter.

*** However, there is indicated to be some truth to it; a few characters muse that while Wanda probably loves both equally, Hermione's [[UncannyFamilyResemblance startling resemblance to her mother]] and shared powers remind Wanda of two extremely painful periods in her life (when her powers came through and nearly drove her mad, and when she had to give up Hermione). This plus her relatively uncomplicated relationship with Harry makes him easier to love. To her credit, she comes to acknowledge her DoubleStandard and apologizes to Hermione, ashamed of how she let her fears prevent her from doing right by her daughter.