The Birth Order Effect

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The Birth Order Effect Growing up with two other siblings I always wondered how we could come from the same parents, yet act nothing alike. My sister, Shaylan, is the oldest, I am the middle child, and my brother, Braden, is the youngest. It was not until I took psychology in high school that led me to believe that our birth order might have something to do with our differences. I have decided to put this theory to the test using my own life experience and that of my siblings to see if the many studies that have been conducted are true. Studies have shown that the “Birth Order Effect” not only influences our personalities but also our adult lives, and the choices we make. First born children have a unique advantage. They are the “experiment” …show more content…

According to Parents.com, first born children between the ages of four and thirteen have spent more than three-thousand more hours of quality time with their parents than their siblings. This interaction leads to the different developments in personalities. Common traits associated with first born are being reliable, conscientious, structured, cautious, controlling, and achievers (BESTPSYCH). Knowing these traits, I compared them to my sisters and she fits right into the first born category. Shaylan’s biggest personality traits are cautious, reliable, and being conscientious. I have never seen anyone in my entire life be as cautious as my sister. She goes out of her way to avoid any potential problems. Shaylan now has two kids of her own and if the slightest thing is off with the kids, she is calling the doctor. Being cautious is a good thing, but she can be over …show more content…

One of the most common things about being the middle child is being over shadowed by the oldest and youngest siblings, causing them to feel ignored. General traits of a middle child are people pleaser, rebellious, thieves on friendships, social, peacemaker (BEST). I myself being the middle child can identify with all of the above traits except being social. Out of my siblings I am the least social, total introvert. I take after my mother on this one, in social situations I feel really awkward and shy. I can honestly say that I am a people pleaser. Throughout school I got good grades and excelled at basketball, not only to please my parents but to get attention. Being the middle child is rough sometimes because you are over looked and feel like you need to separate yourself from the others. I help anyone I can and I try to stay on everyone’s good side. I am also the rebellious one in the family. I pushed the envelope a bit more than my siblings, trying to bend my parent’s rules. My friendships are near and dear to my heart. I do not have many friends but my small circle of friends know me best and we have been through thick and thin. One thing that I recently noticed was the birth order of my closest two friends. I found it interesting that one friend was and only child, the other was the youngest, and I was the middle, but somehow we came together and created a great

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