1
Birth Order Position
Marissa C. Boatmun
College of Humanities and Social Sciences, Grand Canyon
University BHS-430: Introduction to Family Dynamics
Dr. Trey Twiford
February 11, 2024
, 2
Birth Order Position
Introduction
Does birth order affect a child’s role within their family? This appears to be a debated
topic since Alfred Adler developed his birth order theory in the 1920s (Beck, 2015). Birth order
is a controversial topic due to fluctuations in research; to research such a topic, factors such as
family size, family member characteristics, and birth order must be known (Black, 2018); (Beck,
2015). Though research on Adler’s birth order theory may fluctuate, many people agree with his
theory. Others, such as Beck (2015), who sees no correlation with birth order, and Whitbourne
(2013), who views that there is a difference between biological birth order and psychological
birth order do not agree with Adler’s birth order theory. Even with the contractions, this essay
will side with the affirmation of Adler’s birth order theory and will aim to persuade readers that
birth order does affect a child’s role within the family.
The Effects of Birth Order
Birth order shapes family obligations by assigning distinct roles to each child within the
family hierarchy. For instance, the eldest child will likely shoulder the responsibilities of role
models and leaders within the family, while the youngest child will likely perceive themselves
as less burdened by parental expectations (Govek, 2012). The middle child, on the other hand,
receives less attention than the oldest and youngest child, leaving middle children to feel like a
lost child, feeling sandwiched in the middle and forgotten about (Grand Canyon University,
n.d.); (Stein, n.d.). So, with these roles of supporter, forgotten, and unburdened, how are
children’s ability to have a childhood affected by birth order?
The birth order of a child impacts the child’s ability to have a childhood by influencing
the level of parental expectations and responsibilities placed upon them. First-born children may
Birth Order Position
Marissa C. Boatmun
College of Humanities and Social Sciences, Grand Canyon
University BHS-430: Introduction to Family Dynamics
Dr. Trey Twiford
February 11, 2024
, 2
Birth Order Position
Introduction
Does birth order affect a child’s role within their family? This appears to be a debated
topic since Alfred Adler developed his birth order theory in the 1920s (Beck, 2015). Birth order
is a controversial topic due to fluctuations in research; to research such a topic, factors such as
family size, family member characteristics, and birth order must be known (Black, 2018); (Beck,
2015). Though research on Adler’s birth order theory may fluctuate, many people agree with his
theory. Others, such as Beck (2015), who sees no correlation with birth order, and Whitbourne
(2013), who views that there is a difference between biological birth order and psychological
birth order do not agree with Adler’s birth order theory. Even with the contractions, this essay
will side with the affirmation of Adler’s birth order theory and will aim to persuade readers that
birth order does affect a child’s role within the family.
The Effects of Birth Order
Birth order shapes family obligations by assigning distinct roles to each child within the
family hierarchy. For instance, the eldest child will likely shoulder the responsibilities of role
models and leaders within the family, while the youngest child will likely perceive themselves
as less burdened by parental expectations (Govek, 2012). The middle child, on the other hand,
receives less attention than the oldest and youngest child, leaving middle children to feel like a
lost child, feeling sandwiched in the middle and forgotten about (Grand Canyon University,
n.d.); (Stein, n.d.). So, with these roles of supporter, forgotten, and unburdened, how are
children’s ability to have a childhood affected by birth order?
The birth order of a child impacts the child’s ability to have a childhood by influencing
the level of parental expectations and responsibilities placed upon them. First-born children may
