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In a family, birth order refers to your place in relation to your other siblings (e.g. first born, last born) or if you're an only child. And there are so many stereotypes about birth order! For example: oldest children are bossy; middle children are peacemakers; and the youngest child is babied and gets away with everything. Only children might be said to have a high sense of independence and lean towards selfishness. But are any of these stereotypes true, or are they based on lazy generalizations?
Curious? Click on to discover if your birth order has impacted your personality.
Birth order refers to the rank of siblings in relation to their age. The way parents assign roles to their children according to birth order might occur intentionally or unintentionally.
Some researchers say that sibling dynamics, parental expectations, and the differences between each child can lead to distinctive characteristics and behaviors.
Psychologists frequently look to birth order when examining a child's development, behavior patterns, and personality characteristics.
In the early 20th century, psychiatrist Alfred Adler was the first to introduce the idea that birth order could affect personality.
Adler's theory put forward firstborns were more likely to have a sense of responsibility, middle children would crave attention, and the youngest would be the rebels.
It's important to note that while popular, Adler's theory is not universally accepted. Ultimately, each person is unique and has strengths and weaknesses independent of birth order.
When it comes to the firstborn in the family, Adler theorized they get more time and attention from their parents at the beginning of their life.
Firstborns are often described as leaders, who might display "Type A" personality traits, being high- or over-achieving. They tend to be success oriented.
The oldest child experienced attention being diverted away from them when a sibling arrived. They are also frequently expected to be caregivers.
Parents might have been a lot more strict and cautious with them from the beginning, while easing up on later arrivals. This could mean eldest children are more responsible and mature than their siblings.
Middle children could feel overshadowed by their older siblings, which might lead them to look for attention outside the family.
They could become a people pleaser within the family, or a peacemaker who mediates conflict between older and younger siblings.
While they are usually adaptable and independent, they might be overlooked or get less attention than their siblings. This can lead to feelings of insecurity and jealousy.
Middle children might have a rebellious streak. They could struggle with poor self-confidence, a fear of rejection, and/or delinquency.
The last child, or baby of the family, is often seen as being pampered or indulged more than other members of the family.
By the time the youngest child arrives, parents are much busier (and probably a lot more laid-back in their parenting) than they were before.
Last-born children are often fun, free-spirited, and risk-taking. They typically have a lot more freedom to explore than their elder siblings did.
Adler's theory suggests youngest children will be highly sociable and charming. They can sometimes be less strict or disciplined, and struggle with self-regulation.
Only children differ from all the other types: they don't have to share their parents' attention with anyone else. This makes their experience of life unique to them.
Being an only child is similar to being an oldest child in many ways. They might receive a lot of attention from their caregivers, leading to perfectionistic tendencies.
Only children might be mature for their age. Without siblings, they might not spend as much time with children in their age group and could have more interaction with adults.
Only children are often seen as thoughtful, diligent, mature, self-reliant, and sensitive. They may be more comfortable spending time in solitude.
The connections you form with others, and the way you behave in a relationship, could also be affected by your birth order.
Where there are two female siblings, the younger might be more empowered, while the older is more focused on success. Older sisters tend to take on a motherly role.
Where there are two male siblings, the opposite tends to be the case. The older brother tends to take on the bully role, with the younger sibling feeling less secure as a result.
Mixed sibling relationships tend to have less sibling rivalry than that associated with same-gender siblings, but, again, this can vary.
Communication is also said to be influenced by birth order, with firstborns being more direct, middle children more accommodating, and youngest children more likely to use their humor and charm.
Oldest children are more likely to take on the role of caregiver, which can lead to problems in intimate relationships later on. Middle children tend to be flexible and easygoing, while youngest children are less rigid about the role they take.
Elder children tend to have high expectations of themselves and others, becoming critical when people fall short. Middle children tend to seek balance in their expectations in relationships, while youngest children tend to take a more loose and free approach.
Of course, it takes more than your position in the family structure to decide your personality. Factors like the amount of siblings and age gap between them can negate some of the effects of birth order. There are many factors that shape a child's development and personality, with birth order (potentially) only being one of them!
Sources: (Verywell Mind) (Psych Central) (Better Health)
How birth order impacts your personality
There are some facts and myths about this
LIFESTYLE Psychology
In a family, birth order refers to your place in relation to your other siblings (e.g. first born, last born) or if you're an only child. And there are so many stereotypes about birth order! For example: oldest children are bossy; middle children are peacemakers; and the youngest child is babied and gets away with everything. Only children might be said to have a high sense of independence and lean towards selfishness. But are any of these stereotypes true, or are they based on lazy generalizations?
Curious? Click on to discover if your birth order has impacted your personality.