The Effects of Birth Order on Personality

Last week my Monday book club transgressed from our book topic and spent time talking about birth order and how it effects one's personality. I love this group of bright, insightful and just all around fun women that I see every month in order to discuss important literature. We were suprised to find out that a large number of women in the group were firstborn children. .

Firstborn children's common traits are energetic, logical, ambitious, enterprising and scholarly. Did you know that most American presidents are firstborn children? I didn't either, but it makes sense. Also, a large majority of CEO's of major companies are firstborn children. Firstborns aggressive traits are: movers and shakers, natural leaders, perfectionists, driven, conventional, always have things under control, assertive and want things their way. Does this sound like any firstborns that you know? It sure sounds like some that I know. The compliant traits of firstborns include people pleasers, crave approval, caregivers, reliable, conscientious, cooperative and team players.

Our book group has many leaders and very few followers, yet everyone is respectful and listens. That's because we all respect the intellect and insight each and every woman brings to the group. Just because we've got a bunch of assertive perfectionists doesn't mean everyone doesn't get a chance to express her opinion, argue and disagree. It makes for lively discussions, regardless of the topic of the book, on everything from politics to religion.

I found it interesting how the characteristics listed for birth order fit the people I know. Of course these are general traits and we always know someone who doesn't fit the mold, but in my family and with the people I know, birth order has had a huge influence on their personality.


Firstborn children have much to deal with. First they are an only child, then they're the oldest child, often they are a surrogate mother to their siblings, and with all these changes going on they may act out if they don't like what's happening in the family. No matter what a child's position in the family heirarchy is you can be sure of one thing, they probably wish the birth order were different.