The Young Guns

I think that you are completely right in saying that the differences in children of a certain birth order are probably not genetic. I especially agree with your descriptions of why the oldest children often strive for achievement and the youngest often take risks. I think these traits in children can be seen across many families and these explanations are definitely plausible as reasons why birth order might have something to do with traits. These traits really come from the slight differences in how parents raised the children that result from the order of their births.

I think you bring up a valid point that birth order is not the reason why the older kids are more intelligent then the younger ones. They are probably not genetic but when the child is born does make a difference. If the first was born when the mom was 25 and then your last child was born when you were 42 genetic problems are more likely to occur. Although they may be mild still it has an effect. I do agree with your argument about how the oldest child strives for success and the youngest tries to follow the oldest, knowing it can rely on the oldest sibling to watch over him.

I am a first born and from personal experience I think as myself as my parents guinea pig. Everything that I did was the first for me and my parents. Because of this I do feel like strive for achievement and set a standard for my younger brother and sister. I basically have to figure everything out on my own and then when it comes their turn to deal with it they just follow in my footsteps. College apps for example were annoying for me, the process was new for me and my parents. But now when my brother comes along in a couple years they will be able to help him out. He won't need to try to figure it all out like I did.

I am the oldest in my family and I think it leads to some unique challenges. For example you are basically your parents' human guinea pig. Everything you go through is the first for them as well. I think the oldest has to figure things out for themselves more than the younger siblings do. For example college apps,I remember having to figure out everything basically on my own my parents didn't know what was going on either. But now when my brother comes through in the next couple years they will be able to help him and he won't need to struggle to figure things out like I did.

I totally agree I don't think genetics has that much if anything to do with intelligence and personality based on birth order. As the youngest of three brothers I am actually the complete opposite of the hypothesis. To be honest I probably took the least chances because I knew what would be accepted and not accepted. This had nothing to do with genetics but rather observation. There may be a small correlation with genetics but I think it is so small that it does not represent accurate data for a hypothesis about birth order.

I agree with your hypothesis of why children in a family act the way they do. Myself being the oldest in my family am able to see the differences between myself and my siblings. I am very goal oriented in both sports and my academics. My siblings also express many of the same things you mentioned above. I also agree that biological factors have very little to do with how each child will act, however I do think that it does play a small roll in how a child will be, for example my younger brother (a middle child) is three years younger then me but he was always the same height as me. Therefore as you mentioned in fights he does not take a diplomatic approach but takes an approach much like a first born would.

I totally agree with your post. This was a very insightful blog, and it shows the critical thinking you have done to prove ooccam's razor. The though that genetics can led to specific traits is a little much for most to believe. Rather, your explanation fits quite well, giving reasonable, and thoughtful causes to the way birth order effects each of us. However, the roles above do not always play out in that manner. Growing up with a younger sister who was very close in age, we each had our moments with certain roles. I do think this was a thoughtful, and well organized idea though.

I agree with your statements. The order that you were born could have some affect on your personality, but it is not as big of a factor as other things, like genetics. I happen to be the oldest kid in my family. And, like you mentioned, I do strive to be a good role model. I already have achieved more than either of my parents (in sports and academics), and I will continue to try and outdo my brother.