Youngest Siblings Are The Funniest And Most Favoured By Parents – But First-Borns Are More Productive, Shows Research
The differences in character and personality between siblings has been highlighted in new research
While there are downsides to being the younger child (hand-me-downs, for one), there are also plenty of positives. And no, we don’t mean they’re able to get away with more.
Compared to their older siblings, the youngest child in a family is funnier, more favoured by their parents, more easy-going and more relaxed, research has shown.
But it’s not all good news. While the youngest sibling may be more carefree and allowed to get away with more, they’re less likely to be as successful as their big brother or sister.
The study, conducted by YouGov, shows that older siblings are more responsible, organised and more able to prioritise.
Plus, they’re more self-confident and family-orientated.
Researchers divided the first and last-born siblings in British families with more than one child to see the divide in personality traits. And age could play a big part in the differing characteristics.
Older children were more likely to admit to being more successful than their siblings – possibly because they’ve had more time to get on in life.
“Undoubtedly, there are family forces at work – parental attention soon shifts onto new arrivals, and first borns may to learn the ropes themselves,” states the research notes.
“As evidence, elder siblings are more likely to feel more organised and able to prioritse their own lives. Likewise, younger siblings are more likely to be feel more favoured by their parents.”
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Do the study’s findings sound about right to you? Let us know in the comments.