I was perusing an article in CNN’s health section about the debate surrounding birth order and the corresponding personalities/intelligence of children. For those of you who don’t know, the idea has become more and more popular (mostly based simply on perceptions and logical reason) that the first child usually has the highest IQ due to being forced into the leadership role–having to “set an example,” interact with the parents more often, have more responsibility, and generally be more autonomous and less dependent.
What really struck me about the article, however, is when they delved into descriptions of what models first, middle, and last childrens’ personalities follow. To avoid having to click over to the site (people hate clicking links), I’ve included the main text here. For extended family, I leave it to you to judge whether the description seems applicable–but I know for the Crumillers it fits us right to a T. I’ve removed the “what to do” section that follows each child’s description to spare the parents the agony of realizing all of the egregious parenting mistakes they may or may not have made.
Firstborns
Eldest children, it’s commonly claimed, are natural leaders and problem solvers, with strong organizational and reasoning skills. There’s no study comparable to the Norwegian one to back this up, but it’s gained a lot of currency because it has the appearance of logic. Twenty-one of the first twenty-three American astronauts were firstborns, and they’re well represented among Rhodes scholars and university professors, says Kevin Leman, Ph.D., author of “The Birth Order Book: Why You Are the Way You Are.”
Firstborns are also sometimes said to be better at relating to adults than to other kids, since they’re so used to interacting with their parents.
Middle children
Middle kids are said to be great negotiators and peacemakers, with laid-back attitudes and a love of socializing. As such, they’re thought to be natural schmoozers and consensus builders when they grow up. According to Linda Dunlap, Ph.D., a birth-order–theory expert and professor of psychology at Marist College in Poughkeepsie, New York, they’re the most likely to move far from home once they grow up, partly because they’re seeking a clear identity after having spent their early years sandwiched between sibs.
Some middle kids suffer from the firstborn’s long shadow, and because of it, it’s said, are prone to rebelliousness and competitiveness.
Last children
Last-borns have the most experienced parents, of course. But how does it affect them? Leman and Connellan (as well as a host of nonexperts) say they’re the least likely to be disciplined, perhaps because Mom and Dad are by then too laid-back –or worn down — to freak over every infraction. Popular wisdom also has it that youngest kids are doted on, and because of it become adept at wrapping people around their little fingers and clowning to get attention.
There are drawbacks to being perceived as a loosely supervised charmer, however. Youngest children may suffer from other people’s assumptions that they are spoiled, stubborn, and manipulative.
For those interested in the full article, here you go:
http://www.cnn.com/2007/HEALTH/family/10/12/par.birth.order/index.html.
