Birth Order

Birth Order It is a commonly known fact that not all children are the same, not even close. But at the same time, children follow distinct patterns based on where they are in their family 's birth order. The only child, the first child, the middle, and the last all have distinct traits that can fit into each family. Not every child fits into every single characteristic, but virtually everyone can relate in some way or another. Many psychologists have argued that birth order is nothing but a myth, at the same time many others have found that it has strong ties to childhood development and even life as an adult. Birth order affects the way children behave with siblings and parents. Younger children have to learn that the older is bigger and stronger. The older child has to learn responsibility, leadership, and caring. The middle child has to do both (Harris, Effects). Birth order has a strong effect on what kind of characteristics children will develop as they grow into adulthood. I come from a family of five children and it is amazing how each and every one of us has a different trait. I am the oldest of the five and am very accustomed to the idea of being the first. I was the first one to drive, the first one to graduate, the first to get a job, and the first to move out. From this I feel that I have more responsibilities than my other sisters. I have to show them the right way and be an example of good behavior. When I do not give the best examples, they too become a model of what not to do. The second child of the family has proven to break away from my mold and has almost become my opposite. She has poor motivation and has a hard time listening to orders. She is easily frustrated with other members of the family and is extremely short tempered with all of us. Although, around her friends she can be one of the sweetest people you will ever meet. She has felt that she does not have the attention of the parents. The middle child of the

Cited: "Birth Order: Science or Myth?" Biblical Discernment Ministries. Jan 2003. 20 May 2005. Brazelton, Berry T. Touchpoints: The Essential Reference. Cambridge: Perseus Publishing, 1992. Forer, Lucille K. Birth Order and Life Roles. Ft. Lauderdale: Natchez Plantion House, 1969. Harris, Judith Rich. Why Are Birth Order Effects Dependent on Context? 20 May 2005. Harris, Judith Rich. Why Can 't Birth Order Account for the Differences Between Siblings? 20 May 2005. Leman, Kevin. The Birth Order Book: Why You Are the Way You Are. New York: Dell Publishing, 1985. Russell, Cheryl. "Birth Order and the Baby Boom." American Demographics. Vol. 19 Issue 3 p.10. 1997. Inytertec Publishing Corporation. Stein, Henry T., Ph.D. Adlerian Overview of Birth Order Characteristics. 20 May 2005. Sulloway, Frank J. Born to Rebel: Birth Order, Family Dynamics, and Creative Lives. New York: Pantheon Books, 1996.