Does Birth Order Effect Your Life Choices?

First born child? The middle child? Perhaps you are the baby of the family? Can you tell a lot about a person just by knowing where they fit into a family due to their birth order? Our 2-part series will investigate if our birth order defines us in our behaviors, our marital and our job selection?

What are the typical family roles defined by birth order?
ü First born. The oldest child who is typically characterized as the “responsible one.”

ü The scapegoat. Typically the second born child who is the one who acts out, or is labeled as the troublemaker

ü The middle child. This child is usually the quiet one or the lost child

ü The mascot. The baby of the family who is the protected one.


What are the typical characteristics of the first born?
ü First child who is over-responsible achiever

ü Type A personality

ü Good student, workaholic who takes on more than assigned

ü Needs to be in control

ü Typically marries someone who they can care for or manage


What are the characteristics of the scapegoat?
ü The second born who acts out and many times is the complete opposite of the first born

ü Cuts classes, gets poor grades, early pregnancy, attains negative, attention

ü Rebellious, prone to use of drugs or alcohol

ü Good with physical activities


What are the characteristics of the middle child
ü Quiet, invisible

ü Avoids conflict, isolates

ü Feels lonely, afraid, emotionally withdrawn

ü Follower

ü Many times depressed and has few friends


What are the characteristics of the mascot
ü The baby of the family who is generally immature and fragile

ü Many times the clown , charms family members and others

ü Can be high strung and hyperactive

ü Not taken seriously


Do these roles fit for all families?
Generally these are guidelines. There are excepts if there is a big gap in ages of the children, or if a family is blended. Exceptions also are found if there is a boy born first, and then a girl… and then the roles tend to change with the girl being the responsible child and the boy becomes the scapegoat.



Gina: So you see your birth order can determine your characteristics and the roles you take in your family and your life. Next week, Dr Joy will continue this subject and you’ll learn how our birth order affects who we marry as well as the careers we seek.