Do you believe in Middle Child Syndrome?
Each year on August 12th, National Middle Child Day honours that in-between child in the family. Larger families celebrate more than one middle child, too!
The complex topic of family dynamics is one that our species will definitely be discussing for centuries to come. And while every member of a family unit ends up having their own unique challenges it’s hard to argue that middle children often get the short end of the stick.
Many believe birth order plays a pivotal role in the personalities of children. The Middle Child Syndrome describes the firstborn as the leader and the role-player. Meanwhile, the youngest one earns the title of the baby family. Therefore, the middle child’s role remains undefined.
Birth order may contribute to the Big Five personality traits, too: extroversion, neuroticism, agreeableness, conscientiousness, and openness to experience. One personality study also claims that middle children tend to be artistic and creative.
No matter what the personality tests and therapists say, the day directs us to focus on the middle child. The day directs parents and siblings pull out all the stops. Make your middle-born family members feel special.
Are you a middle child? Do you believe in Middle Child Syndrome? Do you have experience of this with your own children? Do you think it depends on the gender mix of the siblings?
