Your personality and life today is influenced by whether you are the the first born, middle born, last born, a twin or you are the only child of your parents.Most people tend to believe that everyone is unique, yes thats true but we are all similar when it comes go body language, birth order characteristics and even our facial expressions.This act of reading people according to the ‘number order’ they where born in their family is called Birth Order and there are many experts who had to focus on this field all their life time.Birth order is the placement of siblings in a family.

Alfred Adler(1870–1937) one of the fathers of this field believed one’s birth order position had great impact on how they would live their lives. He having lived in the last century was also of the view that one’s birth order position would influence their strengths and weaknesses in life. Although he maybe called the Father of Birth Order his principles had no scientific proof and some are being disputed by modern scholars. Today people like Kevin Leman have researched ,more and more about birth order.Not to say that Adler's principles are wrong but some where not based on deep research.

In the same vein modern psychologists have come up with some great research that is more accurate than Adler's view. Today I will be sharing you with what I learned from Google, YouTube videos and books concerning the characteristics of First Born children in our families whether they are male or female. I will share with you what I have learned ever since and who is a first born .This is a great subject since Birth Order affects our personalities, personal relationships and our occupations in life both unconsciously or consciously.

If you are an academic or someone with interest you might want to check these sources to learn more:

• Insight: Birth Order

• Parent University 2-2-2013 - Birth Order and Personality with Mike Maniacci

• The Birth Order - Dr. Kevin Leman

• Psychological Birth Order

• Birth Order

• Adlerian Theory and Psychotherapy: A History and Detailed Description

• Dr Pascal Raad - Birth order effect on personality

Definition/Signs of First Born Children

1 . The 1st child born in a family whether male or female.

2 . The 1st born child of a certain gender in your family. For instance if you are the firstborn(girl) in your family and if a boy is born after 2 girls he will automatically have 1st born qualities for he will be the 1st born boy. So if you are the 1st born born girl/boy in your family you automatically have many traits of a first-born child although you will have some traits of a middle-born child or last born child.

3 . If a child born before you is 5 or more years older than you then you start adopting 1st born character traits. As long as there are 5 or more years of birth spacing the next child automatics assume the traits of a First-born child. According to Dr Leman with a gap of 5-6 years between siblings the next one starts a new family and the new child psychologically adopts qualities of a 1st born.

4 . In the case of when a 1st born child is disabled or mentally weak the 2nd born(mentally capable/able) child automatically takes over the 1st born qualities in the family. Major duties will be expected on them so they will have to takeover the roles.

N.B. Functional First Born- It refers to any one having 1st born traits as said in 2, 3 and 4 above.

N.B. A child born alone in a family does not have the same qualities as that of a first born.An article of a 1 child home will be posted later. Also take note that a child born with an age difference of more than 7 to 10 years gap with he older sibling automatically falls under the ‘single child’ category which is very unique and which I said will be posted later.

Character traits of first born children/If you are a first born this may be true for you and if you know 1st borns you might find some of these traits to be true:

1 . Most first born children usually play with 1st born friends

This is most because 1st born children usually like dealing with other people they see to be mature. Most of them do not enjoy associating with the too much social middle children or the manipulative and charming last born children.

2 . Most likely to live according to other people’s standards

• This may be one of their weaknesses in life.How other people see them drives them in life. At school they are the types that may be found trying to impress the teacher at most and are rarely found at the wrong side. They also try to impress their parents by doing good at all times and are rarely rude. At least they manage to hide their bad side.

• In a marriage they also live in the other spouses’ standards and tend to believe what others tend to say about them in life. This may be because they are expected to lead the family by showing good values so they end up trying to impress all people so they feel their self-worthiness. This is good for them bring out their best at most times.

3 . First born children expect good morals from other people

• Bad characters are not welcome in their world since they see expect purity in people at most times.With this trait these people are hard to please in life and even worse they can’t please themselves for they look for the perfect world that will never come.

• Since they look for the perfect world they are ‘usually found picking flaws at most situations’. In other words they are too analytical. According to Dr Leman to them there is right way of doing things.

4 . Usually become the protectors of their younger siblings although may not be appreciated

They feel this is their role in life and they work towards this. They are expected to by the society but they feel it more as their duty.

5 . Driven to succeed in life

According to Dr Leman last born children are determined to succeed than their later born siblings. They are hard working and achievement oriented which results them as high achievers.

6 . They are usually independent

Self reliance is one of their trait. They do not like the idea of depending on other people in life.

7 . Tends to be more conservative whilst the last born may be a rebel type.

According to Dr Leman the 1st born will try by all means to respect all laid down traditions and cultures of a society but last borns are rebels and will try to break away from the old archaic rules. In other words the 1st born respects the laws whilst the last born guys breaks all the laws.

8 . They are most likely to be found well dressed and groomed

Since they like order and perfection you are most likely to find them dressed well.

9 . Most likely to enter jobs that require discipline and concentration

Often fill positions of high authority/achievement in life. According to Dr Kevin Leman 28 of 44 (which is 64%) United States of America have been first born children or functional first born children.

Examples of their jobs/professions include:

• Scholars
• Professors
• Presidents
• Pastors/Religious leaders
• Varsity faculty leaders
• Scientists
• Judges
• Medicine
• Accountants
• Executive secretaries
• Engineers
• Bookkeepers

10 . Their IQ is most likely to be higher than that of their siblings

According to Dr Leman responsibility builds brain power. Since they carry their parents dreams they end up going further than their younger siblings.

11 . They are well versed with technology compared with their other siblings

According to Dr Leman the 1st born have great interest in tech-stuff. I think the majority of Bloggers on Steemit are 1st born as well.

12 . Most 1st born children do not like surprises

That maybe a surprise birthday party. That may not be welcome to them compared with the middle child and the last born who will be very happy.

13 . They are too logical, confident, ready to get things done and more organized than the other siblings

I once talked about this above. They are serious with all they do in life. They are most likely to write a list of what they want to achieve in most cases.

14 . The most likely to be scholarly in the family really love asking questions

This is most likely because of expectations put upon them.So they end up believing that succeeding in academics will solve their lives. These guys are curious because hey want to know. You are most likely to fall in love with them for they may start asking you about the things you like.Its rare to be asked about what you like and these guys can ask you anything which for some is annoying.

15 . Critical, strong-willed and aggressive

Critical of those with different ideals. Strong-willed in all they do and are aggressive to those they see as unethical.

16 . They are natural leaders and believe in authority

Leadership is inside them whether they know it or not.

17 . Since they are perfectionists they are the most likely to be the most reliable of all the siblings as said by Dr Leman

There most dominating character trait is perfection. According to Dr Leman striving for excellence is better than looking for perfection.Perfection never comes and these guys keep focusing on it which may complicate things. They want the perfect opportunity to ask someone out and also the perfect time to throw a joke which might also not be a good one. Looking for perfection makes them to fear criticism that they end up not wanting to be around critics.

Conclusion

To sum up I listed and explained briefly some traits common among first born children. Some of them include their goal to be perfect at most cases, them being organized in life, their high professions, their conservative nature compare to their rebel last born sibling and their desire to be independent. I also defined who is first born and who is not. If you have questions or suggestions they are welcome below on the comments section.

Read Further On The Subject: References / Bibliography

Kevin Leman

Classical Adlerian Depth Psychotherapy 1

Classical Adlerian Depth Psychotherapy 2

https://www.bestpsychologydegrees.com/birth-order/

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Birth_order

Image Credits

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Thanks to @nitesh9 and @rock-dave for allowing us to use this @steemstem gif