How accurate is birth order in explaining and determining a childs personality or future?
Cook-Fasano: There is no doubt that birth order can have a significant impact on shaping personalities, interests and futures. However, many factors from genes to life experiences influence how a child will turn out in the future. It would be a mistake to attribute the large effects of a child’s future success or failure on such a subtle variable as the order in which a child was born. Birth order traits have been identified by many studies across the world, however, it is always important to see past the stereotypes. Typically, it is believed that first-born children are natural leaders, problem-solvers, are self-confident, have strong organizational and logical reasoning skills and relate better to adults. Middle children are said to be great peacemakers, better at negotiating, are more laid-back and have great interests in socializing. These children are also reported to be more prone to rebelliousness and sensitive to competitions with older siblings. It is claimed that last-born c
