Birth Order Essay
I have been interested in birth order as well and how that affects relationships. My husband is an only child and I am the youngest child, and how we view things are very different. My views and behaviors are different from my older brother as well. I believe there are limitations to this intervention. Seligman & Reichenberg (2014), suggest that older children are inclined to be more intelligent, successful, and responsible. Whereas, the youngest child can feel inferior, easygoing, and be spoiled. This completely inaccurate regarding my brother and I. There is the White-Campbell Psychological Birth Order Inventory that can be used to measure the impact that birth order plays on an individual. The variance between the actual and psychological
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As with other birth order positions the only child can have negative experiences from parental over shielding or over protection. Alan (2012) suggests that the parenting style plays a major factor in the birth order theory. Whether it’s the oldest or middle child, if a parent smothers the child, they may be inclined to seek independence. Furthermore, (Alan, 2012), proposes that at some point, all first born children were originally only children. Therefore, some only child traits remain present in the older child. Likewise, with middle children, they were once the youngest.
Hartshorne, Salem-Hartshorne, & Hartshorne (2009), asserts that birth order is a reliable factor in the forming of long-term relationships. The study assumes that people with similar birth orders gravitate towards one another. Alan (2012), reminds counselors that there are more single-parent households, which affects the development of children. Also, the internet and social media has an influence on children and how they communicate with parents and siblings. This change in family dynamics can play a part in birth order (Alan, 2012).
In conclusion, research has validated Adler’s theory on birth order and its influence on personality, but counselors should refrain from relying on birth order solely (Seligman & Reichenberg,
As with other birth order positions the only child can have negative experiences from parental over shielding or over protection. Alan (2012) suggests that the parenting style plays a major factor in the birth order theory. Whether it’s the oldest or middle child, if a parent smothers the child, they may be inclined to seek independence. Furthermore, (Alan, 2012), proposes that at some point, all first born children were originally only children. Therefore, some only child traits remain present in the older child. Likewise, with middle children, they were once the youngest.
Hartshorne, Salem-Hartshorne, & Hartshorne (2009), asserts that birth order is a reliable factor in the forming of long-term relationships. The study assumes that people with similar birth orders gravitate towards one another. Alan (2012), reminds counselors that there are more single-parent households, which affects the development of children. Also, the internet and social media has an influence on children and how they communicate with parents and siblings. This change in family dynamics can play a part in birth order (Alan, 2012).
In conclusion, research has validated Adler’s theory on birth order and its influence on personality, but counselors should refrain from relying on birth order solely (Seligman & Reichenberg,