Which birth order is the unhappiest and why?

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   gmwilliamsposted 12 years ago

   Which birth order is the unhappiest and why?

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   JThomp42posted 12 years ago

   The middle child. Because the newness is gone from having the first child and of course we all know that the last born is always the baby. So the middle child just fits somewhere in the middle.

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      gmwilliamsposted 12 years agoin reply to this

      That is so true.  The middle child is the least individualized of all birth order.   They are considered to be the appendage of either their older and/or younger siblings.   They are also the LEAST favored children by their parents.

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      JThomp42posted 12 years agoin reply to this

      I totally agree!!

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3. 83

   Pamela N Redposted 12 years ago

   The oldest for a few reasons. According to Dr. Kevin Leman's book, "What Your Childhood Memories Say About You," oldest offspring tend to focus on the negative memories.
   
   The eldest child is not only responsible for their own behavior but the actions of their siblings; they set an example and in many cases are supposed to look after the younger ones.
   
   First born have much more expected of them, the oldest boy in most cultures inherits the father's wealth and name. He must take care of his aging parents and take over the family business if there is one.

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      gmwilliamsposted 12 years agoin reply to this

      Of course, the oldest child is held to a higher standard than the younger siblings.   They must be adults sooner.   However, in small families, oldest children hsve it easier.  In large families, they ARE on 24/7/365 for their parents and siblings.

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      Garifaliaposted 12 years agoin reply to this

      I'm an oldest child and truly I have had such negative experiences because of this that I do tend to ponder over them.

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      gmwilliamsposted 11 years agoin reply to this

      Oldest children, particularly in large/very large families catch HELL.  Oldest children, no matter what family size, must be ON and be PERFECT or as NEAR PERFECT as possible.  Oldest children must be adults sooner than their younger siblings.

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   duffsmomposted 12 years ago

   I know nothing on this is concrete, but I would say the middle child.  Child #1 had the parents full and brand new attention - they (generally) are the most mature and responsible, the last child is the baby, the one everybody fawns over and enjoys because it is the last baby.
   
   Then you have the child in the middle, neither this nor that watching as the oldest child grabs attention by being Mom's or Dad's big boy (or girl) and helping out, all while Mom or Dad are holding and fussing over the baby....and the middle child watches and wonders where they fit in.
   
   Not always - I know, but that is what I have seen.

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      gmwilliamsposted 11 years agoin reply to this

      So true.  Middle children have it so tough.  They are the ones LEFT OUT, IGNORED, and well, forgotten. Would not want to be a middle child for all the tea in China.

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   jenniferlynn78posted 12 years ago

   I believe that all orders are unhappy because of the demands placed upon a children!  The oldest gets the brunt such as; your older, your wiser, you should set a better example for your siblings...the middle children have to make-up for the older sibling or compete for love as the eldest and youngest recieve it more and can never do enough...and the youngest always favored but unhappy when they realize that happened and then they know why their siblings were always mad...it was because of what the parents did...anyway we look at it the birth order always is unhappy just as an only child is unhappy/miserable.  Order is never destined for a happy plan!

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      gmwilliamsposted 12 years agoin reply to this

      Totally agree!

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   Garifaliaposted 12 years ago

   I don't know the answer, but I'm guessing it's the middle child. This child comes after the first born where the intial excitement of bearing your offspring wears off. The middle child comes before the third or last child, where love is again lavished because the next child is the baby. Middle children more often than not are very independent because although parents love them just as much as the other two, don't spend so much time worrying about them. Being born in the middle they often act as mediators or referees trying to keep the balance. To my mind, middle children never get enough attention. I'm not a middle child but my husband is and I have a middle child, which I try to make up to all the times I took her for granted!

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   1. 82

      gmwilliamsposted 12 years agoin reply to this

      All the answers are on target.   Thank you all for your responses.

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