Study suggests germs, not personality, may explain why first-born children outperform siblings
By
The Economist
Soggy bottom. Skim the top, leave the rest on the tray.
Summary
A new study suggests that the reason first-born children tend to outperform younger siblings in educational achievement and income may be related to germs rather than personality traits. While stereotypes portray eldest children as responsible and younger ones as rebellious, large-scale studies find no meaningful link between birth order and personality. The research points to biological factors—specifically, exposure to germs—as a potential explanation for the cognitive advantages observed in first-borns.
Key quotes
· 4 pulledSORRY, YOUNGER siblings.
On standard measures of success, such as educational achievement and income, first-borns do better.
Stereotypes cast eldest children as responsible and younger ones as rebellious—but large-scale studies find no meaningful link between birth order and personality types.
New research points to something rather different: germs.
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