Firstborns- these individuals are the reasons why our world continues to rotate on its axis. Scholarly perfectionists, firstborns are essentially the leaders of our society who are both nurturing and assertive. Whether they pamper or “govern” others, firstborns seek order and structure in their surroundings. Going to the movies? The first born would take care of holding those tickets. What about grocery shopping? They would be the ones who double- and even triple-check that shopping list. Organization, essentially, is their life!
Because they serve as “guinea pigs” for novice parents, firstborns receive spotlight attention throughout their early childhood. In order to “test” parenting methods, brand new moms and dads would thrust a variety of behaviors upon the first born. Parents would either be “overprotective, anxious, tentative, and inconsistent,” or “strict [and] disciplined” with their first born; at times, they could be both! (Leman) As a result, firstborns receive a great amount of pressure from their families. From babysitting younger siblings to completing daily responsibilities, firstborns juggle the stress of being number one!
However, the “number one” position has its benefits. Since they are told to “act their age” and “set an example” for their younger siblings, firstborns develop natural leadership qualities. They tend to be critical and dislike surprises, but firstborns are logical and generally smarter than their younger siblings. In the following video, Dr. Martin discusses the correlation between firstborns and their IQ.
Aside from their academic strengths, firstborns are avid readers and possess an interest for computers or technology. They enjoy activities that involve perseverance, and they take these activities very seriously. Because of their perfectionism, leadership qualities, and intelligence, firstborns compose the majority of engineers, vice presidents, and CEOs. In fact, “over fifty percent of U.S. presidents have been firstborns,” such as Bill Clinton and George H.W. Bush. (Leman) Firstborns are usually the “earth shakers” of society; firstborns Oprah Winfrey and Winston Churchill, for instance, inspired changes in the world.
Parallel to a firstborn’s characteristics are those of an only child. Firstborns and only children share the same behaviors, habits, and career paths. However, an only child is a category higher than a first born: he or she is a “super first born.”
An only child is an extreme perfectionist who can’t bear to disappoint or fail. He or she is thorough and deliberate, cautious, self-confident, and self-motivated. Only children are list-makers who set high self expectations, often leading to self-created pressure. Unlike the other birth orders, only children develop non-competitiveness due to the absence of other siblings. Because they do not experience sibling rivalry and/or competition, only children tend to be self-centered. Their parents’ undivided attention serves as their Achilles’ heel. This “center of the universe” treatment influences only children to be critical and quick-tempered if things are not run or planned their way. Without siblings in their childhood background, only children tend to have a lower social interest for people their age. They are more comfortable befriending older people; becoming “little adults” at an early age influences only children to associate with others their senior. President Franklin Roosevelt and Condoleezza Rice are among the group of only children.
Following the firstborns and the only children are the middle born children. Because of his or her position in the family, the middle born often looks above to the older sibling in the birth order. In most cases, the middle born’s characteristics branch off from the older sibling’s behaviors. In order to compete for their parents’ attention, middle borns would behave in an opposite manner to their elder siblings to receive any form of spotlight. The characteristics of the middle born are, in a sense, contradictory.
A middle born can be shy and impatient, but they may also be outgoing, sociable, and laid-back. In certain circumstances, the middle born is very competitive, and they rebel and express aggressive behavior. In other situations, the middle born is easy-going and plays the mediator in conflicts.
Why is the middle born so complex?
Because parents tend to overlook the middle born among their other children, the middle born feels left out and alone. In their families, the middle borns don’t receive their “fair share” of attention; as a result, they are hidden within their siblings’ shadows. Even though they may be shy in their family, middle borns would seek as many friends as possible to account for the social attention lost at home. The middle born, in fact, is skilled in developing long-lasting relationships. Since they are stuck between older and younger siblings, middle borns learn to negotiate and compromise. Their diplomacy develops from learning to recognize the different sides of a scenario. In addition to their peacemaking skills, middle borns tend to be independent and loyal.
A middle born has a tendency to be rebellious, for they feel as if families or groups do not accept them. Because parents may have treated them unfairly, middle borns develop the characteristics of a maverick, even displaying bitter behavior. They could be “bullheaded, stubborn, [and] unwilling to cooperate.” (Leman) When they require assistance, middle borns are too embarrassed to admit that they, in fact, need a helping hand.
Although they may be frustratingly stubborn, middle children are willing to showcase their vigor and tenacity. If they cannot match the academic level of the first born, “middle children often turn to jobs with high physical risks, or to athletics, areas in which they can excel.” Middle children dominate occupations such as fighter pilots, football players, and motorcycle racers. Because of their interpersonal skills, middle children, such as Ted Kennedy and Donald Trump, “often accept positions of employment that deal with people.” In fact, a recent survey revealed that sixty-eight percent of personnel managers in the United States were middle children. (Moore) As middle children set out into their career fields and beyond, they become the more balanced individuals of the birth order. By applying their “give-and-take” experiences to the real world, middle children become the more stable individuals of society.
The last, but certainly not least, of the birth order is the cub: the baby of the family. Known for being manipulative yet affectionate, the lastborn is often the clown of the family who both charms and provokes other family members. Lastborns enjoy engaging others, and if possible, wouldn’t mind stealing the spotlight, even at the cost of their embarrassment.
But why do lastborns, who often receive “babying” treatment from their parents, still desire the limelight, even if they do receive it at home?
When lastborns are brought home, they are immediately introduced to their sibling’s, or siblings’, shadow. Whether this shadow is a mile long or a hundred miles long, “lastborns instinctively know and understand that their knowledge and ability carry far less weight than that of their older brothers and sisters.” (Leman 171) Parents, who may be exhausted at the “lastborn stage,” tend to “react with less spontaneous joy at the accomplishments of the last born.” (Leman 171) Parents may unconsciously compare their lastborn to other siblings: Why can’t this little kid catch up with his siblings? It didn’t take his older sister this long to understand it!
In other circumstances, family members may underestimate a lastborn’s abilities. They may think that the baby of the family cannot accomplish certain tasks. As a result, lastborns grow up with an “I’ll show you!” attitude. A lastborn’s other behaviors, at times, come across as undisciplined and spoiled. Lastborns may appear to be self-centered with a temper and ego, and, yes, they can be absentmindedly gullible.
However, lastborns generally grow to be likable and easily relatable. Their energetic and humorous perspectives of situations make them the lovable clowns whom the world finds so entertaining. In many situations, lastborns rely on their wits rather than their intellect to complete a task; negotiation and sales come naturally to them as well. These traits carry on into their future careers. In general, lastborns, such as Eddie Murphy, Ellen DeGeneres, and Jim Carrey, “often pursue artistic, musical, and creative ventures.” (Morrow)
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