| We often hear parents of multiple children agreeing | | | | talents of the oldest child. |
| with each other that their middle child displays typical | | | | - Middle children tend to be the family diplomats. |
| behaviors associated with what is commonly referred | | | | They dislike conflicts and seek fairness and justice. |
| to as "middle child" syndrome. In this article, we look | | | | They're "people pleasers." |
| at the birth order of siblings and what one eminent | | | | - Youngest born are usually excitement seekers who |
| psychologist had to say about its effects on our | | | | crave attention so they won't be "left behind" in |
| personality. | | | | family activities and the atmosphere as a whole. |
| Psychiatrist Alfred Adler was a contemporary of | | | | - Only children never have to compete and share |
| Sigmund Freud and Carl Jung, the original "fathers" of | | | | within the family. They grow up accustomed to |
| studying the intricate workings of the human mind. | | | | having their own way. They set high goals for |
| Adler had some very definite ideas about family and | | | | themselves and keep a polite distance from others. |
| social interactions. His primary contribution to | | | | Considering Alfred Adler's concept of birth order, how |
| understanding human nature was in terms of social | | | | does this work within your family? Can you see your |
| interest, which he defined as a person's willingness to | | | | children taking on these birth order roles? What's the |
| participate in life's "give and take" with others. | | | | family atmosphere in your home? Can you see your |
| Healthy people with an adequate social interest | | | | child or children working towards Adler's concept of |
| interact with others in a helpful manner. | | | | healthy social interest? Most importantly, does the |
| Once Adler came upon his theory of social interest, | | | | birth order of your children - from the oldest to the |
| he took it a step further. The concept of birth order | | | | youngest toddler - seem to make a difference in |
| was his study of sibling interactions and psychological | | | | how your child's character develops? |
| aspects at birth, or more precisely, how being the | | | | When you consider the birth order of your children, |
| first, middle or youngest child affected the person's | | | | keep in mind that several extraneous factors |
| social interaction later on in life. We are all intrigued | | | | influence the children's behavior; the age differences |
| when it comes down to finding out why we do the | | | | of the children, handicaps or disabilities with any child, |
| things we do. While you read through the Adler's | | | | and the gender of the children. Adler never meant |
| following breakdown, think about your own position in | | | | for birth order characteristics to be written in stone; |
| regards to your siblings: | | | | there are always outside factors that will make a |
| - The oldest child tends to be analytical, detailed, a | | | | difference in their birth order behaviour. |
| methodical; this child values control. He/she sets the | | | | Adler's theories on birth order can offer valuable |
| example for younger children. They are used to being | | | | insight when it comes to understanding the behavior |
| "number one." | | | | of your own children. Of course, birth order won't |
| - Second-born children are often in competition with | | | | account for every behavior, as there are so many |
| the oldest child; if the oldest is good at math, the | | | | other factors involved in personality. However, birth |
| second-born will ignore math and find something that | | | | order is another tool to help you comprehend what |
| he/she excels with in a manner superior to the | | | | shapes your children for better or worse. |