I have always noticed that my brother, my sister and I, although all products of the same two parents, are extremely different individuals. I never could attribute our unique, unlike characteristics and personalities to anything or anyone until I examined the various theories of birth order. One theory of birth order suggests that a child's personality and behavior will be directly impacted by their birth relation to their siblings (i.e. oldest, middle, youngest, etc.). My brother, sister and I are examples of how birth order and it's affect on mannerisms and character traits can classify siblings. .
My brother, the oldest, is the Golden Child. As the first-born he is the "special" one. In the eyes of my parents, Golden Boy can do no wrong and typically does not. Justin is a perfectionist. In school he excelled in absolutely everything he attempted. Academically he was gifted, athletically he was inclined and extracurricularly he was involved. As the oldest he set an example and, unfortunately for my sister and I, he positioned the bar incredibly high. Before Amber and I were born, Justin was the sole recipient of all of our parent's loving adoration and attention. He was made to feel that he could accomplish anything and he set out to do just that. Furthermore, because of his lot as the oldest, Justin was able to do things that Amber and I were not permitted to do based solely on his age and gender. According to Dr. Michael Grose, in his article How Birth Order can affect your Child's Behavior and Personality, the first- born child is in a revered but somewhat difficult position in his or her family. They are often burdened by exceedingly high parental expectations particularly if they are boys. For a time they are only children who gain undivided attention from their parents. First-borns are also trailblazers for the siblings that follow. They are continually taking their parents into new ground - breaking them in for the benefit of the others who follow.
