Darwinian Factors
Many commonly believed effects of birth order may actually be attributed to a Darwinian struggle for survival. In the past, before the 20th century, the majority of children did not survive into adulthood. As a result, first-born children were more likely to reach reproductive age and contribute to society in various ways. On the other hand, children born later in the birth order tend to be born towards the end of the mother’s reproductive cycle, leading their parents to favor them more as they are seen as irreplaceable. This could explain why some perceive later-born children as being spoiled.
Why Do These Theories Exist?
The existence of these theories can be attributed to various factors. One possible explanation is that certain personality traits develop as a result of natural struggles for attention. Children inherently desire their parents’ attention and seek ways to gain it. Consequently, some children may adopt louder and more aggressive behaviors, while others become more conscientious in their actions.
Furthermore, the notion that first-born children are more mature could be simply due to a difference in age. As individuals grow older, they tend to become more conscientious. Therefore, parents naturally compare their children’s levels of maturity, even though they may be aware that age plays a significant role. Nevertheless, they inevitably tend to give more weight to the observable differences.