Is an older sister or brother more responsible than their younger siblings? Are only children less likely to share their belongings? According to research, birth order impacts a child’s personality as well as intelligence.
The beginning of this subject goes almost a hundred years back. Sigmund Freud’s friend, Alfred Adler, was a believer that birth order affects one’s personality significantly. Even though science isn’t exact, those claims have been proven by more extensive research.
According to research, the oldest children tend to have better leadership skills than younger siblings. They also take a more power-oriented, conservative and dominant approach.
They also develop a stronger responsibility as they often watch over their siblings. According to Adler, firstborn children take more initiative. It was also found that they are more honest.
Because older children are described as the ‘pace-setter’ in the family, middle children tend to set the bar high even though they often make errors.
They are also able to learn more from their mistakes. Those who are born in between are also diligent and conscientious.
The youngest children are usually spoiled by parents. They also love the attention given by their older siblings. Even though they feel less independent, they are highly motivated to keep up with their older brothers or sisters. Youngest children are also socially developed.
The only children are often pampered a lot and they don’t need to worry about competing with other siblings for attention. They also receive enough protection from their parents. But according to Adler, they tend to become self-centered and dependent on other people. They feel more nervous than other peers but they’re also quite open.
According to two German universities, those who are older children tend to have higher IQ than their younger siblings.
What are your thoughts on this? Do you agree that birth order shapes one’s personality? Don’t forget to SHARE this with your family!