First-borns are born leaders
Do you sometimes wonder why your oldest sister can easily take the lead in the kitchen and in conversations at family gatherings while you prefer to stay out of the limelight, sitting outside, speaking to the trees, waiting for instructions?
Retha Fitchat
Do you sometimes wonder why your oldest sister can easily take the lead in the kitchen and in conversations at family gatherings while you prefer to stay out of the limelight, sitting outside, speaking to the trees, waiting for instructions?
Genes definitely play a role, but researchers suggest that born-leaders are a real thing – and their success is not based on their teachers or peers but on their birth order.
First-borns
First-born children are 30 per cent more likely to become leaders such as CEOs or politicians. This is according to economists at the University of Texas-Austin and at Sweden’s Institute for Evaluation of Labour Market and Education Policy. They found that first-borns are on average more emotionally stable, persistent, socially outgoing, willing to assume responsibility, and able to take initiative than later-borns. Researchers say having more children means parents spend less time with each child which means the later ones generally have lower IQs. Parents also invest more time creating rules and being strict with the first child. As a result unique qualities develop that make them great leaders, such as intelligence, discipline and people management.
Well-known first-borns include Beyoncé, Emma Watson, Hillary Clinton, Richard Branson, J. K. Rowling, Kate Middleton, Oprah Winfrey and Winston Churchill.
Middle-borns
Middle-born children apparently tend to be more co-operative, flexible and sociable. They are also the birth order that are able to make and maintain friendships easily. This is due to the fact that as a middle-born child, there aren’t the parents’ high expectations of the first child, nor the relaxed attitude accorded to the last child.
As a result, they also tend to be less ambitious than their older brothers and sisters, and so will have a more relaxed attitude in life. As middle children receive less attention than their other siblings, they seek out relationships and friendships outside of their family, and can be social butterflies.
Famous middle children include: Kim Kardashian, Madonna, Martin Luther King, Bill Gates
Britney Spears, Jennifer Lopez and the late Princess Diana.
Last-borns
Youngest children tend to be likeable and charming. They are usually more creative than older siblings and have a stronger sense of security and confidence. As their parents have already had other children, they tend to be a lot less strict and are a lot more lenient with their youngest children. Parents’ expectations will also be lower. As a result, youngest children will generally be less responsible and mature than older siblings, as they constantly feel like others will take the lead.
Famous last-borns include Cameron Diaz, Harry Styles, Ryan Gosling, Angelina Jolie, George Clooney and Johnny Depp.
Photo: Well-known middle child, the late princess Diana.
Photo: Famous last born, actor Johnny Depp.
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