Older children will always seem to be more responsible and sophisticated than their younger siblings because they are more developmentally mature.
The study found that second-born sons were 20-40 percent more likely to have behavioral issues in school and have to be disciplined, and eventually end up in the criminal justice system.
The middle born is most likely to have trouble fitting in due to being sandwiched between the overachiever of the firstborn and the spoiled baby of the youngest. Another 2013 study found that middle-born children were 33% more likely to be considered delinquent compared to their older siblings.
Middle siblings may not wind up as the corporate chiefs or the comedians, but whatever they do, they're likely to do it more collegially and agreeably—and, as a result, more successfully—than other siblings.
A new study shows that first-born children tend to be smarter than their siblings and second-born children are more likely to cause trouble. The University of Edinburgh study reported that the oldest child tends to have a higher IQ and thinking skills than their younger siblings.
An NBER working paper found older siblings tended to make more money than their younger siblings. Higher hospitalization rates among younger siblings could affect their future earnings. Prior research has documented a similar trend in siblings' earnings and outcomes.
The researchers found that on average, aggression increased over time in adolescents with an older brother but remained stable in those with an older sister. For the older sibling, aggression decreased when the younger sibling was a girl but remained stable when the younger sibling was a boy.
According to a report from Joseph Doyle, an economist at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, the "curse of the second-born child" might be true after all. Doyle and his colleagues say that second-borns, particularly boys, are inclined to be more rebellious than their older siblings.
And some bonds are tighter than others. Researchers found sisters had warmer relationships compared to those between brothers or between brothers and sisters. Even if you're not best friends, sibling relationships can be strengthened. The key is to talk things through.
The likelihood of depression is higher for both firstborn children with siblings and only children, as seen in Figure 2. Firstborn children were 35% more likely to be diagnosed with depression compared to those who were born second or later, while only children were 38% more likely. Figure 2.
However, surveys have indicated that usually the youngest or the eldest are favorites for different reasons. For some parents it is because they feel their youngest needs more attention because they are struggling.
Second-borns, particularly boys, are inclined to be more rebellious than their older siblings.
Later born siblings were found to be more extroverted (sociable, outgoing), sentimental, forgiving and open to new experiences than their older siblings. First-borns were found to be more perfectionistic than their younger siblings.
Eldest daughter syndrome encompasses a range of behaviors and feelings stemming from the unique pressures and responsibilities often placed on the firstborn daughter in a family. Jones and King say signs that may indicate someone is experiencing eldest daughter syndrome include: Having a strong sense of responsibility.
Precious Firstborn Syndrome (PFS) is a phenomenon coined by members of the UK's biggest parenting site, Mumsnet. The term is used to describe the bizarre things many first-time parents do in the name of caring for their precious firstborn.
Among the children studied, kids born first among their siblings were 48% more likely to be diagnosed with anxiety and 35% more likely to be diagnosed with depression compared with children born second or later.
Researchers from the University of Essex in the UK found first borns are 16% more likely to excel academically that their younger siblings [3]. This is especially true for girls: eldest daughters are an additional four percent more likely to go on to higher education that families with first born sons.
“Middle siblings may not wind up as the corporate chiefs or the comedians, but whatever they do, they're likely to do it more collegially and agreeably — and, as a result, more successfully — than other siblings.”
The results show a statistically significant indicator that first born children have higher divergent thinking scores than their younger siblings, which is a strong indicator of creative performance.
“Violent and abusive behavior or other actions that cause severe anxiety, depression, or low self-esteem are all signs that a sibling relationship has become toxic,” said Charlie Health Primary Therapist Kathleen Douglass, MA, LCPC, an expert in family dynamics.
Being bossy doesn't have anything to do with being the oldest, though that often is the case; being bossy is driven by a desire to be right, be in charge, or control things around you. Anyone can be driven by those desires – whether you are first born, baby of the family or somewhere in between!
Studies show that this idea of competitive later-borns may just be true. Evidence derived from various studies shows that an athletic advantage, due to a higher strive for competition, is often present in those who are younger siblings.
White families are twice as likely to receive an inheritance as black families, and that inheritance is nearly three times as much.
Your success in life may be influenced by your birth order, according to the economist Sandra E. Black. Black points to research she and her colleagues have conducted that found that firstborns tend to be smarter, richer, and all-around more successful than their younger siblings.