Are Oldest Children Really Bound To Be Wealthier?

2:00 pm, February 24th | by Hillary Reinsberg

There’s always lots to discuss when it comes to talking about birth order — about what it means to be an oldest or youngest or middle child. Here’s a new one: experts say oldest children are bound to the most financially stable.

Experts say that oldest children are likely to pursue careers like “medicine, law, accounting and engineering, that wield larger paychecks than your younger brothers and sisters have.” They also say it’s possible that oldest children will be more financially responsible and can have higher credit scores.

Do we buy it?

Sure, there’s a point to be made in saying that many oldest children learn to be leaders and trailblazers, but do they explicitly veer towards higher paying careers? Seems like a too-wide generalization to me. I know all too many families (including, dare I admit, even my own — oldest child speaking here) where this just doesn’t apply.

[Business Insider]

TAGS: birth order | money

Kaitlyn

Well, me and my twin sister are the oldest, and we plan to be doctors, so there could be something to that.
http://www.katrinschumann.com/ Katrin

These studies point out trends and there are always exceptions to the rule. I recently published a book on middle children in which we pointed out the many overlooked and unexpected qualities middles develop as a result of being “squeezed” in the family dynamic–by researching anecdotes and studies, we determined MIDDLES are often leaders (though perhaps more subtle ones than firsts), trailblazers and great negotiators. Their career path often isn’t motivated by large salaries but by their interest in justice, and their tendency to be independent and think outside the box. But again, this is a pattern we see in many middles, not a strategy all middles adhere to.

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