Does the order in which a child is born in the family affect whether they become a responsible leader, peacemaker, or rebellious person in the future? Experts say that while this factor plays a certain role, it is not decisive.
Medianews.az, citing Lent.az, reports that the well-known writer Catherine Carr notes that a child's position in the family may influence the formation of their personality, but it does not fully determine it.
According to her, sibling relationships are a very complex and multifaceted system. For example, the firstborn children in the family are usually more responsible, and when younger siblings are born, they may feel that they have lost their "special status." The youngest children, however, do not experience this and grow up in different conditions.
Ideas about the influence of birth order are mostly based on the theories of Austrian psychotherapist Alfred Adler. He believed that the eldest children are more responsible and organized, the middle children are more flexible but sometimes lack self-confidence, and the youngest tend to be more risk-taking and charismatic.
Nevertheless, modern researchers emphasize that these approaches are mostly general observations and not valid rules for everyone.
Catherine Carr states that the environment in which children grow up plays a bigger role. Factors such as age differences, the family’s financial situation, and parental emotional support create different experiences even for children growing up in the same family.
Another important approach is the differentiation theory proposed by psychologist Francis Fuchs Schachter. According to this theory, children consciously or unconsciously choose a specific "role" for themselves in order to distinguish themselves within the family. For example, if one child excels in academics, another might prioritize development in creativity or humor.
Family dynamics also affect this process. Blended families, large age gaps, or covert parental favoritism can change children’s roles and influence relationships.
In conclusion, experts agree that birth order is important but does not determine fate. Over time, sibling relationships can change, and rigid roles can be replaced by more balanced and mature relationships.