Birth order affects personality

February 10, 2009 • Liz Peoples  
Filed under Features

Middle child syndrome, the spoiled one, baby-of-the-family or the snobby eldest. Which stereotype do you fall under in your family? It has actually been proven that these stereotypes can be true.

The eldest child… always bossing people around, thinking they rule what others do. This is their nature. The eldest child is almost always the most assertive sibling in a family. 

They are determined to get their way and are incredibly ambitious. Studies on CareerBuilder.com have also shown that the eldest child is more likely to earn $100,000 more than their siblings. This is because they often choose the more competitive jobs in fields such as medicine, law and government.

Sophomore Courtney Beal is the second oldest of six siblings, and she does fall under the stereotype of being an older sibling.

“I’m very bossy, but in a secretive way,” she said. “I say something like ‘if you do this, then mom and dad won’t get mad at you’ or ‘if you love me, will you go get me a soda?’ I think it comes with the territory of being an older child.”

Middle child syndrome is a complaint often used to describe the neglect middle children experience. As it happens, this “syndrome” shapes the kids into the shy, calm and easy-going people that they are found to be. 

Research done on CareerBuilder.com has found that middle children are good negotiators and peacemakers. This makes them prime candidates for careers like being a nurse, a police officer or fire-fighter. 

The youngest child of the family… their personality characteristics are similar to those who are the first born: more aggressive and ambitious. They also love getting attention, and when they do not, they like to bring the attention to themselves. 

They are often charming, funny and creative. 

Another quality they have can be used, for good or bad. They are often manipulative and use this to their advantage.

 This study also applies to twins and how they act. Parents usually treat twins the same, so that they feel equal. But being raised so close to one another, they often grow to have different personalities and interests. One might be into sports, the other into science. It really all depends on what their lives are like.

Of course, these characteristics do no apply to everyone. No one can be placed into one stereotype, no matter how hard they try. Everyone has different likes and dislikes. It is impossible to know what people will end up like, or why. 

You may be the oldest child but possess the traits of a middle child. You may have a twin, and have several things in common in addition to your birth date. 

Nothing in this world is certain, and no one should expect to know why people like what they like, or do what he or she does.

 Being an individual is what makes the world such a diverse community. 

No research can exactly pinpoint what makes certain people act different ways but it can show if someone is more prone to be one way rather than another.