Have you ever heard of middle child syndrome? In simple terms, it is a concept in psychology and popular culture that suggests that middle children may experience feelings of insecurity or feeling neglected compared to other siblings.
This concept implies that a child's birth order and position in the family can have a significant impact on their personality and behavior. In the following we will examine whether this syndrome is true or not.
In 1964, psychotherapist Alfred Adler developed a theory based on which it is said that the order of birth affects personality development. In his theory, he treated psychological development with reference to birth order. Thus:
- The first child is more authoritative and feels powerful because of the parents' expectations of him/her.
- The little child is more spoiled.
- The middle child presents problems because it is something between being an adult and a child, which according to Adler affects the personality and the relationships that are created.
Some characteristics that are thought to be present in the middle child.
Personality: Feel overshadowed by other siblings.
Marrëdhëniet: Kanë probleme me të ndjerit të barabartë përsa i përket marrëdhënies me prindërit. Fëmija i parë ka më shumë përgjegjësi, fëmija i vogël llastohet më shumë, ndërsa fëmija i mesëm duket sikur nuk merr asnjë nga këto.
Rivaliteti: Fëmija i mesëm shpesh ndjen nevojën për të “garuar” me motrat/vëllezërit.
Favorizimet: Mendojnë se nuk janë të preferuarit e prindërve. Sipas tyre, njëri prind ka fëmijë të preferuar fëmijën e parë, ndërsa tjetri të voglin.
Sidoqoftë ngelet thjesht teori.
As the middle child syndrome is often discussed, there has been no lack of scientific research. Some researchers point out that middle children have more distant relationships with their parents, while other studies have rejected these arguments saying that personality is the result of social, financial and family influences and has nothing to do with birth order.
