WHAT YOUR BIRTH ORDER MEANS ?

IN Psychology, there's a vast array of studies and personality theories
that try to explain why we are what we are today... One of these noted
Personality Theorists is Alfred Adler. He is the one that firmly believes
that birth order play a big part in shaping one's personality. .. True or
not, it's for you to say... So, read on and see if the description is
really accurate of you as:

ONLY child
Birth is a miracle. Parents have no previous experience. Retains 200%
attention from both parents. May become rival of one parent. Can be
over-protected and spoiled.

(characteristics)
Likes being the center of adult attention. Often has difficulty sharing
with siblings and peers. Prefers adult company and uses adult language

OLDEST child
Dethroned by next child. Has to learn to share. Parent expectations are
usually very high. Often given responsibility and expected to set an
example.

(characteristics)
May become authoritarian or strict. Feels power is his right. Can become
helpful if encouraged. May turn to father after birth of next child.

SECOND child
He has a pacemaker. There is always someone ahead.

(characteristics)
Is more competitive, wants to overtake older child. May become a rebel or
try to outdo everyone. Competition can deteriorate into rivalry.

MIDDLE child
Is "sandwiched" in. May feel squeezed out of a position of privilege and
significance.

(characteristics)
May be even-tempered, "take it or leave it" attitude. May have trouble
finding a place or become a fighter of injustice.

YOUNGEST child
Has many mothers and fathers. Older children try to educate him. Never
dethroned.

(characteristics)
Wants to be bigger than the others. May have huge plans that never work
out. Can stay the "baby." Frequently spoiled.

TWIN
One is usually stronger or more active. Parents may see one as the older.

(characteristics)
Can have identity problems. Stronger one may become the leader.

"GHOST CHILD"
Child born after the death of the first child may have a "ghost" in front
of him. Mother may becime over-protective.

(characteristics)
Child may exploit mother's over-concern for his well-being, or he may
rebel, and protest the feeling of being compared to an idealized memory.

ADOPTED CHILD
Parents may be so thankful to have a child that they spoil him. They may
try to compensate for the loss of his biological parents.

(characteristics)
Child may become very spoiled and demanding. Eventually, he may resent or
idealize the biological parents.

ONLY BOY AMONG GIRLS
Usually with women all the time, if father is away.

(characteristics)
May try to prove he is the man in the family, or become effeminate.

ONLY GIRL AMONG BOYS
Older brothers may act as her protectors.

(characteristics)
Can become very feminine, or a tomboy and outdo the brothers. May try to
please the father.

ALL BOYS
If mother wanted a girl, can be dressed as a girl.

(characteristics)
Child may capitalize on assigned role or protest it vigorously.

ALL GIRLS
May be dressed as a boy.

(characteristics)
Child may capitalize on assigned role or protest it vigorously.

GENERAL NOTES
1. The psychological situation of each child in the family is different.
2. The child's opinion of himself and his situation determines his choice of attitude.
3. If more than 3 years separate children, sub-groups of birth order may form.
4. A child's birth order position may be seized by another child if circumstances permit.
5. Competition may be expressed in choice of interests or development of characteristics.
6. Birth order is sometimes not a major influences on personality
development. The other potentially significant influences are: organ
inferiority, parental attitudes, social & economic position, and gender roles.
8. Adler speculated that birth order differences would begin to disappear
when families became less competitive and autocratic, and more cooperative
and democratic.