What Is The Youngest And Youngest Child

Today in America, an estimated 80% of the population has at least one sibling. While it is true that no two families are identical, the relationship between siblings plays a central role in their development and growth. Younger siblings for example, might be prone to mimic the actions of their older siblings, viewing their older siblings as faultless and heroic figures. On the other hand, older siblings are often viewed as authority figures and are seldom questioned. They might develop as friends with an inseparable bond or as bitter rivals seeking supremacy over the others. Regardless of the nature of their relationship, siblings that share a household are forced to interact with each other more than any other friend or family member. Sibling

A quick aside with my own personally experiences as the youngest of three brothers. Often my siblings have set the curve for what is acceptable and not – weather that be academics or that be sports. In my own competitive nature, I have sought to surpass my brothers, with me being the first of the three to go to

Whitbourne explains the stereotypes surrounding sibling roles, such as the first-born is most likely to take on the leadership position, and tend to “stick to rules and order, and strive toward achievement

According to Alfred Adler, the birth order of the children in a family will largely affect how they age and the personalities which they will form. First borns enter the family as the only child. They revel in the love and full attention from their parents, that is, until the second baby comes along. Suddenly, first borns are dethroned and lose the undivided attention they are used to receiving. As a result, they tend to develop a strong sense of responsibility and protectiveness over their siblings at an early age, which often leads to them becoming authoritative adults. Moreover, when there are multiple children in the family, parents will set high

This can first be seen with the oldest (first born) child where they seem to be more cautious and in need of help. The first born child in most cases is smothered by the mother and father and is protected from anything dangerous for the parents have no experience on what to let their child do. The parents always seem to be worrying when any imperfections arise like sickness or a dangerous situation. This rubs off on to the child making them very cautious of their surroundings and their actions. On top of caution towards the infant the mom and dad help the baby with everything, and are by the child’s side at all times. In doing so the parents are stopping the child from growing up to be not be independent and always need assistance or guidance

Across the childhood age groups, there are some identified similarities as well as differences found in the Gordon’s 11 functional health patterns assessment. Safety is a concern for all age groups. Their environments greatly affect how they grow and who they become later in life. All of the pressure they face in their lives are all linked directly to their family’s religion, culture and its values and beliefs. The toddlers and preschoolers show similarities in the pattern of coping and dealing with stressors by throwing temper tantrums when they are not getting their way, or not able to deal with stress that has presented itself to the child. Another example of a similarity would be role relationship patterns of preschoolers and school-aged children. They both enjoy the company of other children, sometimes more than that of family members. Although, family is very important to all of them, the school-aged children care a lot about what their peers

Sibling rivalry is not the only issue that was triggered by birth order, child’s personality and his or her intelligence is also involved. Some researchers say that first-borns are smarter because they are pressured to set-up the boundary for the younger siblings. They are more enthusiastic in their education for them to be role models of their other siblings. As for the younger ones, life may be or may not be easy, depending on how they will view it. They may view it positively by keeping in mind that since their older sibling get through it, they also can. Otherwise,

First born children who later have younger siblings may have it the worst. These children are given excessive attention and pampering by their parents until that fateful day when the little brother or sister arrives. Suddenly they are no longer the center of attention and fall into the shadows wondering why everything changed. They are left feeling inferior, questioning their importance in the family, and trying desperately to gain back the attention they suddenly lost. The first born child can become “problem children, neurotics, criminals, drunkards, and perverts” (Cloninger, 2008). However, on the flip side, the first born usually are the peacemakers of the family even though they are a pampered and spoiled child.

Though, birth order illuminates a majority of our personality traits and decisions such as, career and romantic relationships. Parents get wrapped up in the ‘firstborn haze’ and overlook how much pressure they put on older siblings. By creating a pressure to be the best and ‘in control’ the older sibling takes on the leadership role and often becomes more aligned with doing better in school than younger siblings. Determination and intelligence correspond with higher level of career, and that is just what the older sibling strives for. In fact, “100% of astronauts who’ve gone into space were either eldest children or eldest sons” (State). Relationships work better if partners differ from each other and aren’t in the same birth order. The competition can be detrimental and problematic. Alfred Adler’s birth order theory provides us with useful information to reflect our decisions and explain how you think about things. By becoming aware of it we can become more familiar with ourselves and get out of the all too familiar comfort

First, an article by the Huffington Post mentions that the youngest child is the “life of the party”. Parents are already confident in raising a child that when the youngest is born, parents are more likely to be more lenient and not pay as much attention to you compared to your older sibling. Research also says that the youngest has more freedom, and is not necessarily expected to do anything (Gross, 2013). What actually occurred in this family is exactly what research says. Laney has always been the outspoken one within the family, and when growing up she always got what she wanted. Over the years, she shows the personality of a youngest child with relying on parents, and letting her sister have more control. Thirdly, what was hypothesized

The first question asked to the four oldest children being interviewed was, “As an oldest child, do you find there is more pressure placed on you that is not on the other children?” The answer was unanimously yes. One of them stated that there was more pressure to get good grades and do well in college. [She] always set a good example for [her] younger siblings. Responsibility wise, there was much more to do as an oldest. One stated that they grew up

I think being the oldest it the best. I say this because well I am the oldest but not only that its almost as if you’re on a higher pedestal than the other siblings. As it states in the article “ Being right, controlling often important,” that totally describes the relation of being the oldest. I like to be the caregiver most of the time and would do anything to help others. It almost a “motherly” instinct kicks in. It says in the article Birth Order that the youngest child expects others to do things, make decisions, and take responsibility. That goes for in our house, my little brother Casey acts as if he were helpless and relies on others for things. He is very capable of doing things but he doesn’t think he has to since he is “The Baby”

The oldest child plays an inimitable role in the structure of her family. She has a propensity to be confident and often craves her independence at an early age. She sets the standard for her younger siblings and realizes that her actions are observed closely by impressionable eyes. This accountability often instills in her a drive to act in a respectable and responsible manner. As the oldest child in a family of eight, I have been persistent in regarding these characteristics and have enabled them to shape my identity.

Even though youngest siblings always try to do what they can to not be compared to their siblings, being the youngest does not always have perks. We do not get as much attention like our older siblings do and we sometimes do not feel the same love the parents give to their first-born.

“The youngest child gets everything.” I could not agree any less with this phrase when I was the youngest in my family. Every child would know the kind of ‘power’ their younger sibling has over them. Therefore, I am guilty of taking advantage of this privilege against my older brother and sister. To begin with, I purposely placed both of them in trouble whenever they made me cry or whenever they don’t obey what I want them to do. In short, I was very spoiled and stubborn child, but nevertheless, I treasured those moments where I was always their center of attention. That was before my parents told me that I was going to have a younger sister.