Middle Kids Most Likely To Get in Trouble?

I’m the middle child of three so these kind of stories always catch my eye. The latest middle man premise is that  is about responsibility -Second-born kids are either the baby, or in the middle, so is their misbehavior even their own fault?

A new study from MIT claims second-born children are more likely to misbehave than their siblings, sometimes bringing serious consequences.

Researchers says second-borns (particularly boys-like me!) are inclined to be more rebellious than their older siblings, and that both in the U.S. and in Europe, second-borns are 25 to 40 percent more likely to get into serious trouble at school or with the law.

I’m no outlaw but I do have a more “interesting” resume than do my older sister or younger brother. Hmmm…

N-P-R reports one possible explanation for this is the fact that parenting style can change according to birth-order. Which can mean, for example, that first-borns get undivided parental attention while younger siblings have to compete for attention.

Researchers say firstborns have role models, who are adults. And the second, later-born children have role models who are slightly irrational 2-year-olds! (That explains a lot!)

Both the change in parental involvements and the slightly older child sibling influences probably contribute to the impact that middle kids show in juvenile  delinquency and latter on the job. (Elle)