The definition of birth order is the rank of siblings by age. The first-born is the oldest child, the second born is the middle child, and the last-born is the youngest child. The definition that people need to pay more attention to though is psychological birth order, which is a child's self-perceived position in their own family. Usually, each child in a family is treated differently depending on their rank. The oldest is given the most responsibility, while the youngest is getting all the attention and meanwhile the middle child is getting left out. The way that individual children are treated affects them greatly with their long-term personalities. Although many don't consider birth order to be a major issue, it is important to recognize the life long effects of the order that a child is brought into this world.
There are two people that have contributed to the causes of birth order effects, and that is the mother and father of the children. Every parent who treats each one of their children differently or holds them to different standards is a contributor. They are pushing that individual to be in a mold that wasn't necessarily meant for them. Research done by Rome Neal states that "older sisters or baby brothers are more than simple labels on the family tree. Psychologists say that birth order affects all aspects of a child's personality." (Neal 1) Neal is stating, that the way a child is raised, or even spoken to and played with will affect the way they treat and talk to others when they are adults. It can even determine their personalities. If the child will grow up to be nice, mean, outgoing, energetic. It can even push a child to grow up to be shy and timid. .
The first child born into a family is essentially a parents "perfect kid." If they have younger siblings than they must set the example for them. Parents tell the child that they have to be a leader and set a good example for their other siblings, but what if that wasn't how they were supposed to be? Rome Neal has concluded that, "Firstborns are perfectionists their whole lives.
