How Does You Order of Birth Influence Your Personality?

Birth Order Influences Who You Are
(a guideline like astrology, up to you to believe)

First Born

First-born children are goal setters, perfectionists and sometimes worriers . They are responsible, detail-oriented, and they follow the rules while trying to please everyone they can.

"These are the highest achievers," says psychologist Daniel Eckstein, PhD, from Ottawa University in Phoenix, Arizona.

Famous First-Borns: Presidents Truman, Johnson, Carter, and George W. Bush, Oprah Winfrey, Bill Cosby, Geraldo Rivera, Walter Cronkite, Peter Jennings, Dan Rather, Ted Koppel and Jackie Onassis.

Only Child

Only children are like first-borns, but exaggerated. They're extremely responsible, like to do everything perfectly and often get along with people older than themselves.

Famous Only Children: Frank Sinatra, Robert De Niro, Elton John, Lauren Bacall and Robin Williams.

Middle Child

Personality aside, most experts agree that the middle child has it the toughest. They're constantly trying to outdo their other siblings, who have gained special status as first-born or the baby, and according to Conley, are "25 percent less likely to be sent to a private school than they were before, and they're five times more likely to be held back a grade."

Middle children tend to rebel, be competitive and may feel that they don't entirely belong. They're also flexible, diplomatic peacemakers who are generous, outgoing and social.

Famous Middle Children: David Letterman and Donald Trump.

Last Born (Youngest Child)

There are exceptions to the birth order rules: large age differences between siblings, blended families and multiple births can all skew the results.

Because the youngest child is usually spoiled, protected and at least somewhat babied by the family, they grow up with the feeling that they can do no wrong. Youngest children are risk takers who love attention, creative "idea" people, and have a good sense of humor .

They can also be manipulative, persuasive and persistent, and may wish they could stay the youngest child forever. Because of this, last-borns may have a greater risk of psychiatric disorders and substance abuse problems, according to Eckstein.

Famous Last-Borns: Katie Couric, Ross Perot, Goldie Hawn, Jim Carrey, Jay Leno, Billy Crystal, Drew Carey and Steve Martin.

Exceptions to the Rule

Does your personality not come close to the descriptions for your birth order? It's worth noting that there are several caveats that can seriously skew these birth order "rules."

If there are a number of years between siblings, the birth order chain will start over. For example, if six years go by between the first and second child, the second child may take on personality traits of a first-born.

The birth order within genders can also start the chain over. For instance, if the first child is a girl and the second a boy, the boy may take on some first-born traits since he is the first-born male.

Deaths of siblings, adoptions, step-siblings, multiple births and divorce, in which siblings live separately, can also influence birth order traits.

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