Why First-Borns are so Uniquely Special?!
I am the first-born daughter of my beloved parents. I was nurtured with so much love and gentleness. I also probably have more childhood pictures than my sisters- I have a whole album! Yay!
Now that I have grown older and gained more knowledge and awareness of the reality of what special qualities and experiences firstborns hold in them, it makes me more curious to study why this is so.
When I talk about my strengths as the first daughter, I would say I am a responsible, cautious, empathetic, independent, hard-working, and goal-oriented individual.
And interestingly, I have seen these qualities in many people who are the eldest siblings. This brings the question to my mind: Why are we all the same in some way or another?
Upon research, the firstborns are the most intelligent because of the mental stimulation bestowed on them before another sibling arrives.
According to a report in the journal, PLOS One found that CEOs are more likely to be firstborn children. Plus, most of them believed their birth order contributed to their success.
Adlerian theory states that firstborn children tend to be authoritarian and feel entitled to power because they are expected to be the most responsible ones, and they are expected to set an example for their younger siblings.
Moreover, like myself, the eldest ones are more giving. They would sacrifice anything for their younger siblings. I can give my life for my younger three sisters, and I mean it with all my heart and core.
Whereas, if we talk about the weaknesses, the firstborns can be easily emotionally attached. For example, I get attached to people quite quickly because of my empathetic nature, which sometimes plays as my weakness.
The first child is showered with so much love that they expect everybody will love them and cherish them. Unfortunately, that is not the case in the real world. So, we got to work on that.
Christina Ramirez, a professor at the Dominican University of California, ran a study and found that being the eldest child comes with many anxieties.
In conclusion, I would say the first child holds more unique qualities and strengths than weaknesses. They give their first experiences of everything to their parents. They have seen the world with a more nurtured view; thus they are more practical and sensitive at the same time. And this combination is very compatible. I see both positive and negative aspects with open eyes and mind. And this helps me stay in tune with everything that comes my way and handle it with wisdom and grace.
