Birth Order Characteristics

Updated December 17, 2018
A happy group of siblings

It has long been theorized that birth order affects personality, but what are the birth order characteristics? Birth order may play more of a role in the development of a child's personality than parents realize. There are some general birth order personality traits that can often be seen in groups of children with a common rank in birth order.

Birth Order Theory

Psychotherapist Alfred Adler was the first to propose a theory on how birth order impacted personality. (See his birth order chart for details). Birth order theory suggests that birth order can affect the developing personality of a child. Eldest children, youngest children, the middle child and only children fall into statistical groups with similar personality traits. That's not to say that every child will display every trait (or even any trait) associated with their place in the birth order; only that there is a statistical correlation that seems to suggest the probability that a child's ranking in birth order may result in certain traits that are common to other children of the same ranking.

Common Birth Order Characteristics

The sections below list characteristics of birth order that are often common to children of the same rank in birth order. It is important to note that these characteristics aren't set in stone and that just because your child falls into a certain rank in the birth order doesn't mean that he or she will display all, or even any, of the characteristics outlined.

Only Child

The unique position of the only child in a household of adults often results in a number of common personality traits.

  • Close relationship with parents
  • Natural born leaders
  • Possess a high level of self-control
  • Communicate and get along well with adults
  • Can be demanding
  • Can be spoiled and self-absorbed
  • May feel a sense of "specialness"
  • May feel they are being treated unfairly if they don't get their own way
  • May be quite sensitive
  • Often mature and dependable
  • Often very private in nature
  • Likes being the center of attention
  • Will often "divide and conquer" parents in order to get what they want
  • May relate better to adults than peers

Famous only children include Robin Williams, Natalie Portman, Tipper Gore, Rudy Giuliani, Alan Greenspan, Franklin D. Roosevelt and Kareem-Abdul Jabbar.

Oldest Child

The oldest child is the only child for a period of time and can often show similar traits to only children; however, being the oldest of a group of siblings also may bring about other personality traits including the following:

  • People pleasers
  • Natural leaders
  • High achievers
  • Conformist
  • May be bossy or a know-it-all
  • Are often very organized and prompt
  • May be overachievers
  • They may behave in a very authoritarian manner, especially towards younger siblings
  • May seek attention - in both positive and negative ways
  • Often controlling
  • May become compliant and nurturing

Famous first borns include Oprah Winfrey, Walter Cronkite, Dan Rather, and Arsenio Hall. More than half of the American presidents have been first born children.

Middle Child

Middle children generally display similar personality characteristics, although the middle child traits are more likely to appear in children who are in the middle of three than in middle children of larger families. Some middle child characteristics include the following:

  • Flexible
  • Easy-going
  • Independent
  • May be an excellent mediator or negotiator
  • May feel that life is unfair
  • May feel unloved or squeezed out by siblings
  • Can be highly adaptable
  • Often generous and sociable
  • May try to differentiate themselves from the eldest sibling through behaviors and interests
  • May perceive that the oldest and youngest child are the parents' "favorites"
  • May be rebellious
  • Engage in attention-seeking behaviors
  • May be extremely competitive

Famous middle-born children include Donald Trump, Tim Allen, Rosie O'Donnell, and Julia Roberts.

cute brothers

Youngest Child

The baby of the family is often looked on as a carefree and spoiled position in the family. Characteristics of youngest children include:

  • Often silly or funny
  • Can display risk-taking behaviors
  • Are often creative
  • Can be very self-centered
  • Often feels inferior as if everyone else is bigger and more capable
  • Is highly competitive
  • Can become bored easily
  • Are usually friendly and outgoing with a terrific sense of humor
  • Expects others to care for them and take responsibility for them
  • Will often ally with the oldest sibling against the middle sibling (if three children)
  • Can be equal parts charming and manipulative
  • May be very idealistic

Famous youngest children include Howard Stern, Ralph Nadar, and Jay Leno.

Various Factors That Can Alter Traditional Birth Order Roles

There is psychological reasoning behind birth order and the different personality traits of siblings. But there are certain scenarios and situations that could change this, which include:

Gender

Gender can throw off the typical birth order structure if the first two children born are different genders. When this happens, they often both have personality traits of the oldest child. As for a large family, if there is one boy (or one girl) in the family, that child will not be in their typical birth order role. Or if a family displays favoritism or places more value on one gender over another, the dynamic will be different as well.

Age Difference Between Siblings

If there are five or more years between siblings, the birth order role will not apply. Since the age between siblings is so great, it is considered a new start or 'new family' with a 'new firstborn'. When siblings are born one to two years apart, there may be more conflict and competition especially if they are the same gender. The ideal age difference between siblings tends to be three to four years. They are still close in age but can still have their own identity and interests.

Physical Attributes

The older sibling naturally tends to be domineering and bossy towards their younger siblings. But if they are close in age and the younger sibling eventually outgrows or outsmarts their older sibling, the dynamic can change.

Disposition

When a younger sibling has a stronger, more confident disposition or temperament than their older sibling, this may throw off the birth order role.

Special Qualities

If a younger sibling is an overachiever in school or excels exponentially in sports or music, they tend to get special, even priority treatment and birth order tends to shift. Another scenario is a sibling who has a disability and needs special care. Often these situations will alter the birth order role as well.

Twins

The birth order role doesn't typically apply to twins. They have a special position in the family and tend to operate independently of the traditional birth order roles.

Blended Families

When families are blended due to remarriage, the sibling dynamic can be incredibly confusing and complicated depending on the ages of the children. It's not unusual for the children to need some time to establish themselves in their new family hierarchy.

Personality and Birth Order

As you can see, birth order can result in both positive and negative personality traits; however, it is only one small piece in the puzzle of how one's personality develops. By using effective parenting strategies, you can help your children grow into responsible and caring adults - regardless of their position in the birth order.

Birth Order Characteristics