3 Ways Birth Order Can Influence Who You Are
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Is who you are a product of your birth order? According to many theories, our position in our family can affect our character development. This theory is not anything new. It began with Alfred Adler, a contemporary of Sigmund Freud. He proposed the following:
- The first child likes to be in the spotlight
- The youngest are pampered
- The middle children feel left out
Birth order effects remain a controversial area of research, but numerous studies have found that birth order may have a profound impact on our lives. Personally, growing up as the “baby” or youngest child in my family has a significant impact on the person I am today. In my family, I feel like my parents were more relaxed raising me then they were on my other two sisters. My older sister, for example, dealt with the strictest rules and had the highest expectations because she was first. My parents did not know what to expect, and they were experiencing each phase of her life for the first time.
However, by the time they got to me, they were much more relaxed and knew the ropes. Overall, I got away with a lot more and by the time I was a teenager, my parents pretty much were done raising us all. Also, because I was the youngest in my family, I learned more from my sisters when they made mistakes. I learned what not to do and was able to avoid a lot of the hard life lessons because they screwed up first. Not going to lie, that definitely played in my favor.
How did your birth order affect you?
Here are three ways birth order influences who we are:
- Personality
It has been argued for some time that parents invest more in their firstborn child and in their last borns. Therefore, middle-borns receive comparatively less and are inclined to develop relationships with people outside of their family. Research also indicate that middle children score higher on personality traits such as agreeableness and extraversion.
- Health
As far as health, a study from Norway found that, on average, later borns tend to have lower blood pressure, triglycerides and body mass index than firstborns. However, when it comes to mental health, firstborns fared better and are typically happier. Firstborns also tend to have lower suicide rates. Researchers theorize that higher maternal investments in firstborns may play a role.
- Income
The studies on income found that firstborns earn on average 13.7 percent more in their starting wages than later borns. But there is a twist. This primary benefit is only temporary and fades ten years after the firstborn enters the job market. While firstborns might start off with better jobs, later-born children make up the gap by changing jobs earlier and often their next position earn them higher pay. Researchers also conclude that later-borns may be more willing to take risks in their professional lives in comparison to firstborns
Families: Everyone is Different
Overall, these are all theories. Some of these may ring true for you, while others could be completely false. One thing I know for sure is birth order plays a significant role in who we are for the rest of our lives. Being the youngest in your family might have been an amazing thing, or maybe you felt left out at times. The age gaps between your siblings also influence everything. Every family dynamic is different, but it is interesting to look back and wonder how much your place in your family affected you.
How did your place in your family influence you? Did it factor into any mental health or substance abuse problems you faced later on? While it is always important to reflect on the past, remember not to blame your past for everything. The good news is you can make the choice to transform your future. If you or someone you love is struggling with substance abuse or addiction, please call toll-free 1-800-777-9588.
Author: Shernide Delva