What Does My Birth Order Say About Me?

How being an oldest, middle, youngest, or only child influences your vibe!

Whether you were born first, last, or somewhere in between, or you're an only child, your birth order can affect your personality in major ways. Tell us where you fall in your family's lineup, and this one-question quiz will tell you what it says about who you are as a person!

Group of four siblings looking out a window together.

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Questions Overview

1. Which sibling are you?
  1. I'm the oldest.
  2. I'm a middle child.
  3. I'm the baby.
  4. I'm an only child!

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Does birth order really influence personality?

"Eldest daughter syndrome" and "middle child syndrome" are hot phrases on the internet, but are these theories rooted in reality? Does birth order really have an effect on personality? Turns out, it can!


Eldest children are often natural leaders. They may be high-achieving or even overachieving, in some cases, and they may deal with extra pressure to succeed and to be responsible for their younger siblings. "Being the eldest is hard because you have to forge your own way," licensed clinical psychologist Supatra Tovar, PsyD, RD, explains.[1] This also puts the eldest child in a prime position to help shepherd younger siblings: "Your siblings, like it or not, look up to you and use you as a model for their behavior. Improving yourself and your behavior and practicing kindness and empathy towards them can help them see you in the very best light and feel inspired to be just like you," explains Dr. Tovar.[2]


Middle children are often the peacemakers of the family. They may struggle with people-pleasing, but can also be fiercely independent and adaptable. But with older and younger siblings getting the bulk of their parents' attention, middle children can suffer from feelings of inadequacy, neglect, and jealousy.[3] They may develop a rebellious streak to distinguish themselves from their siblings.


Youngest children might be viewed by their older siblings as spoiled, and it's true that the "baby" of the family is often coddled—but they're also able to get away with more because by the time they're born, their parents typically are much busier and have developed a more laissez-faire attitude towards childrearing. Youngest children are more prone to risk-taking and being free-spirited. While they often have more room to explore than their older siblings did, they may also struggle with feeling like they're living in the shadow of their older siblings.[4]


Only children are somewhat like firstborns, in the sense that they receive all their parents' love and attention for a while...except for an only child, that stream of attention is never interrupted by another sibling. Only children are often seen as mature, because they tend to mostly interact with adults. Because they're never forced to compete for affection and often spend time alone, they tend to become more self-reliant, imaginative, and thoughtful. But they may also develop perfectionist and even controlling tendencies as a result of having their way so often in childhood.


Keep in mind that these are largely generalizations. While there's data to support the idea that birth order can influence personality, birth order likely only plays a small role. Your personality is shaped by many other factors.

Want to learn more?

For more information on how birth order shapes personality, check out these links:

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References

  1. ↑ Supatra Tovar, PsyD, RD. Licensed Clinical Psychologist (PSY #31949). Expert Interview
  2. ↑ Supatra Tovar, PsyD, RD. Licensed Clinical Psychologist (PSY #31949). Expert Interview
  3. ↑ https://iojes.net/?mod=makale_tr_ozet&makale_id=42558
  4. ↑ https://iojes.net/?mod=makale_tr_ozet&makale_id=42558