1. Birth Order
Why You Are The Way
You Are

2. How Can three or four or even eight little
cubs be so different and yet come from the
very same den?
 Yes, there are exceptions to the standard birth
order rules but the exceptions are explainable
when you understand how birth order works.
 Birth Order is the science of understanding your
place in the family line.
 Wherever you landed, it has affected your life
in countless ways.

3. Birds of a Feather Flock
Together!
The first 23 American astronauts sent into outer
space, 21 were first borns and the other two
were only children.
A great number of presidents and pastors are first
borns. All presidents have been first born males
in their family. (Excellent chances of developing
first born traits and functioning as first borns,
which undoubtedly helped them be effective in
their role of president and leader.

4. 1992 Presidential
Campaign
Clinton (first born)- suave, confident, loaded
with answers, and projected strong
leadership ablities
Bush (middle child)- used a mediating
negotiating style, even while in debate
Perot (last born)- hard hitting, outspoken,
asked lots of embarrassing questions of
his opponents, and often has the audience
is stitches

5. Babies of the family who are known
and loved by millions of movie and
TV fans
 Eddie Murphey
 Goldie Hawn
Exceptions!
 Billy Crystal
Jay Leno is a baby, but both Johnny Carson and
 Joan Rivers David Letterman are middle children, born
 Leslie Nielson second of three.
 Danny DeVito Bill Cosby, one of the great comedians of all
time, is a first born. Cosby holds a doctorate
 Drew Carey degree, is a perfectionist. He named all of his
 Jim Carey children with names beginning with “E” –to
remind them to always seek excellence.
 Steve Martin
 Chevy Chase
 Charlie Chaplin

6. Final Examples
 Newscasters and talk-show hosts on
television are often first borns and only
children
 Phil Donahue, Oprah Winfrey, Sonia
Friedman, Geraldo Rivera, Arsenio Hall,
Sally Jessy Raphael, and Rush Limbaugh
 Rosie O’Donnell
 Walter Cronkhite, Peter Jennings,Ted
Koppel, and Dan Rather

7. Which Traits Fit You
Best
 A- Very good bet you are a first born in
your family.
 B- Chances are you are a middle child
 C- Likely you are the Baby in the family
 D- The only child

8. Variables
 Spacing- the number of years between children
Spacing- the number of years between children
 Sex of the child- and in what sequence males and
females are born
 Physical, mental or emotional differences
 Sibling deaths- which, if occurring early, cause the child
below to be “bumped up” to the next birth order
 Adoption- which, may or may not have an effect on birth
order, depending on how old the child is when adopted.
 Birth order positions of parents- first born parents
usually run a much different ship than later borns
 Relationship between parents- parenting style, and
personal values they pass on to their children
 “critical eye”- constant criticism takes it toll
 Blending of families- in a step family certain birth
orders often get stepped on

9. 14 13
7 5
The Smith Family

10. 14 13
3
The Stein Family

11. The Spencer Family
16 14 12
11
When sex differences create someone
“special,” it can put pressure on the child
immediately above or below that special
person

12. The Jones Family
M
14 12 10

13. 12 10
7 7
The Massey Family
3

14. The Bryon Family
Dad- first born perfectionist dentist
Mom- first born PTA president, known for
getting people organized
16 14 12

15. Personality and birth order
are set after age 5 or 6

16. First Borns
 Tend to be conscientious, well organized,
serious, goal oriented, achieving, people
pleasers, believers in authority
 Others signs include; perfectionist,
reliable, list maker, critical, scholarly, self-
sacrificing, conservative, supporter of law
and order, legalistic, and self reliant

17. Two Kinds Of First Borns
Compliant Nurtures and The Movers and Shakers
Caregivers  Assertive
 Please others  Strong willed
 Very reliable  High achiever
 Conscientious  Hard driver
 How-can-I-please-you  Set high goals
 Good students  Badgerlike qualities
 Needs Mom & Dads approval  The very traits and abilities
 Attract the great white sharks that enable you to succeed at
of life work, at church, or in other
organizations will often work
against you in your close
personal relationships

18. Only Child
 Confident
 Articulate
 Seemingly on top of things
 Self-centered
 The key to understanding an only child is
knowing why he or she is an only.
 Excellent candidates for growing up to be
ultra perfectionists

19. Middle Child
Feeling left out
Ignored
Insulted
Branching off effect
Squeezed from above and below
Importance of peer group
Good mediator
Secretive
Mentally tough, independent

20. The Baby
Outgoing charmers
Personable manipulators
Uncomplicated
Absent minded
Carefree
Affectionate
Temperamental
Spoiled
Impatient
Not taken seriously by family

21. The End
Questions?