Study Reveals: Second-Born Children Tend To Become Troublemakers

Oct 30, 2018 by apost team

Joseph Doyle, an MIT economist, recently performed a study that shows that the second-born, or middle child, is at a higher risk of being the troublemaker of the family.

Middle-born sons are 25% to 40% likelier to cause issues than daughters. While not every middle-born son of the family is affected by this statistic, there is a chance that it will still happen.

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Research has also found that those who are born first usually do better in school and have a higher IQ than their younger siblings. They often earn better wages when they get out of school and into the workplace.

This is because the first-born child typically follows two adults, their mother and father. The next child, the middle son or daughter, follows their older sibling instead. This can lead to issues.

Doyle spoke about his findings in a study that monitored thousands of sets of brothers. The brothers were from Europe and the United States. Doyle stated that the firstborn child has two role models, the parents.

Children who are born later have older siblings as a role model, as well. While the parents do influence the middle child, the older sibling also contributes both positive and negative energy. These contributions can cause the difference seen later on during employment and wage earnings.

The study also found that the middle child is likely to get into trouble in school or even with the law as they grow older. Doyle stressed that the study paints a very broad picture of sibling behavior and the influence of the older child and shouldn’t be taken 100% to heart.

Doyle also commented that parents should pay close attention to the middle child and how they are brought up. They need to be guided by their parents just as much as the older, first-born sibling was.

Doyle suggested that parents should carefully watch their children as they come into the age that outside influences really have an effect on them. This includes peers, friends, teachers, clergy, and other family members.

Parents should remember that these people can all have a tremendous influence on their child, even if it isn’t always noticeable. Watching for problems can help put the second sibling on the correct path to an easier life down the road.

Are you a middle child? Tell us your thoughts in the comments and pass this on to others who would be interested in hearing about these issues!