Eldest, middle and youngest.

I've long been interested in the subject of birth order theory, a fairly prominent one in "pop" psychology (I somewhat resent that term). It's the theory that your place in the family dynamic ultimately influences your personality and career. Austrian psychologist Alfred Adler, a contemporary of Freud and Jung, was the first proponent of it, but it was largely disregarded in his lifetime. However, in recent decades it has, maybe thankfully, undergone a reevaluation.

Now, obviously genetics is also a big factor in a person's makeup, but these are the traits most commonly ascribed to each birth order position:

ELDEST:

- Perfectionist.
- Bossy.
- Surrogate parent.
- Hates surprises.
- Natural leader.
- Know-it-all.

Famous firstborns include: over 50% of US presidents, and...

   


                


MIDDLE:

- Can feel ignored due to being neither the privileged eldest or vulnerable youngest.
- Can lean more on friends subsequently than family.
- Learns to be a good negotiator.
- Used to having to compromise.

Famous middle kids:

         

YOUNGEST:

- Free-spirited.
- Risk-taker.
- Class clown.
- Can be rebellious.
- Charming.
- Persistent.
- Loves surprises and being pampered.

Famous lastborns include:

             

And don't forget ONLY CHILDREN (often called "super-firstborns):

- Often unusually mature as children, due to living only with adults.
- Private.
- Unforgiving.
- Demanding but generous.

Famous onlys include:

           

(Although Elvis had a stillborn twin brother.)

Regarding my own family now, I'm the youngest of three, and all of us have a few of those respective traits. Now, I really do love my siblings despite everything, but my sister is a classic bossy boots and know-it-all, and the black sheep my brother has always resented having to virtually carve his own niche out.

Which leaves me at the end of the line, and here's where I may lose a few people. I don't care what anybody says: being the youngest is very overrated (at least in my experience). Where they got new toys and clothes, you get hand-me-downs (and I can now understand parents doing that for financial reasons but still...), after they move out the house feels much emptier for you, you have to bear the brunt of all the irresponsible things they did at your age, and even as an adult you have to fight often to be taken seriously or prove your independence. Plus, for me, while I like socialising, every so often when doing so the overwhelmed, last-born little boy in me resurfaces, and I just have to escape for a bit. But make no mistake: I do love my family, I have most of those youngest child traits, and despite all the drawbacks I am proud to be one.

Those are the facts, and that's the role I play in my family. How about you?