Birth Order: Does it Matter?
66Does birth order really matter? There has been a great deal of interest in the affects of birth order on a child's personality and IQ. Have you ever attributed your eldest child's "bossiness", or your middle child's adaptive nature to their position in the family? Does a child's birth order have a direct influence on the characteristics they develop, or on their level of intelligence? Is there a typical personality type for a first, middle, last-born, or only child?
First Born Children:
The stereotype for a first-born child is that they are responsible, rule-keepers, organized, driven, bossy, approval-seeking, self-critical and high-achievers. Even as early as 1874, Francis Galton studied the lives of 180 eminent scientists, 48% of whom he discovered were first borns. First born children are prominent among Nobel Prize winners, classical composers, US presidents, astronauts, and high-profile 20th Century personalities. Studies show first borns also score higher on IQ tests than their younger siblings.
Middle Children:
Stereotypically, middle children are diplomats and make great friends, husbands and wives. They are peace makers, flexible, generous, social, and competitive. They are more likely to be monogamous in a relationship, and less likely to go into therapy as adults. However middle children can feel the need to catch up to, or ‘out do' the older sibling. They can feel misunderstood and left out, wedged between the distinction of being the eldest and youngest in the family.
Youngest Children:
The stereotype for the baby of the family is they are creative, risk-takers, out-going, humourous, and inventive. Their inventiveness is thought to be because they get plenty of affection but not as much direct attention from parents, which means they become adept at figuring things out for themselves. One study suggests that twenty three of the twenty eight science revolutions of the last 400 years were led by last borns. However, last born children are also more likely to be irresponsible, and to rebel against and question authority. They can feel "picked on", vulnerable and inadequate.
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I am the middle child of three and I find the stereo types you described fit perfectly into my family.
Forever the babysitter, my sister was the bossy, independent type. She is very intelligent, very much a high achiever and EXTREMELY self-critical.
As the middle child, I do adapt well to any environment and I'm a very social person. I'm also EXTREMELY competitive...perhaps that's why I was the one more pationate about sports, above both my older sister and younger brother.
And, as for my baby brother- he's definitely the rebel of the group.....he has issues following rules and isn't afraid to push the limits...sometimes going too far. He's also very creative and attentive. However, one thing not mentioned above, he's VERY sensitive to the feelings and needs of others...his heart seems to literally break for others, every girl he's ever dated has had his heart entirely, when it comes to his older sisters, he's the biggest sweetheart and I know, without a doubt, he's here for me when I need him.
The only thing I disagree on is the fact that the oldest is approval-seeking. I don't find that to be the case at all. My sister is very independent and the only approval she seeks is that of her own free will and personal morals. I, on the other hand and often to my own dismay, am very approval seeking....I've been on my own for 6 years now and married for 4 years, yet I still seek the approval of my parents in many circumstances....it's silly really and I wish it wasn't so, but I often think first of how my actions will affect how my parents view me or would feel about the situation, and then I think about what's best for me.....often crafting what I feel is best for me through their points of view and not that of my own.
Good Hub
i feel that B.O. affects personality
Isabella Snow 4 years ago
Cool hub!