Birth order
Can being big sister, baby brother, or piggy-in-the middle make a big difference to your personality? We serve up the theory for you to decide for yourself.
The theory in a sentence
That all children develop certain behavioural characteristics depending on whether they're born first, second, third etc.
The only child:
- Keen on facts, ideas, and details;
- A 'mover and shaker' in their work;
- Unforgiving and demanding;
- Doesn't handle criticism well;
- Lonely and spoiled.
The oldest child:
- Likely to be successful and responsible;
- A hard working perfectionist;
- Pushed by the parents, who have high expectations;
- Pushes others too hard;
- A bossy-boots.
The middle child:
- Good at making friends and getting on with people;
- A good mediator and negotiator;
- Quietly rebellious but avoids confrontation;
- Worries about being overlooked;
- A people-pleaser who gets walked over.
The youngest child:
- Likes entertaining and showing off;
- Gets bored easily;
- Charming one minute, hard to deal with the next;
- Worries about not being taken seriously;
- Immature and spoiled.
The catch
Even if there is some evidence to back up the theory, all manner of different influences can shape a growing personality. From your environment to your genetic make-up, the way you were raised and the friends you make. Others dispute the theory based on the simple fact that every individual is unique, regardless of their birth order.
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