The middle child, positioned between the eldest and youngest siblings, frequently finds themselves overlooked. However, recent research suggests that they may actually be the most exemplary siblings. Similar to how diamonds are formed under pressure, the various challenges faced by middle children contribute to their development into outstanding siblings.

Birth order significantly influences personality development, with specific characteristics often linked to one's rank within the sibling structure. For instance, older siblings are generally regarded as more responsible and proactive, reflecting the notion of ‘elder daughter syndrome.’

Conversely, younger siblings are frequently viewed as easygoing and carefree, which leads to their characterization as ‘the spoiled brat.’ In the dynamics of sibling rivalry, the middle child often becomes nearly invisible. Like the stereotypes associated with their counterparts, middle children are often described as suffering from ‘middle child syndrome.’

According to WebMD, this syndrome encompasses feelings of being overlooked by parents, overshadowed by siblings, and generally being perceived as ‘caught in the middle’ and forgettable.

The experiences of middle children have also been depicted in various films and television series. For instance, Jenna Ortega's Disney show, Stuck in the Middle, effectively illustrates the challenges faced by a middle child among her numerous siblings.

Nevertheless, the narrative surrounding middle children is not entirely bleak, as a recent study has recognized them as the most admirable siblings of all.

Winning traits of middle child

The middle child often remains in the shadows, yet they exhibit distinctive traits that differentiate them from their siblings. A study employing the HEXACO Personality Inventory, which assesses six key traits—honesty-humility, emotionality, extraversion, agreeableness, conscientiousness, and openness to experience—yielded insightful results.

The research indicated that middle children consistently achieved the highest scores in honesty-humility and agreeableness. Agreeableness encompasses qualities such as kindness, compassion, and the ability to foster harmonious relationships with others.

Middle children are characterized by their honesty and humility, displaying a warm demeanor towards those around them. They also demonstrate a greater propensity for forgiveness.

Navigating the dynamics between older and younger siblings, they often exhibit traits of compromise and cooperation.

Furthermore, the study found that middle children are less inclined to engage in manipulative behaviors for personal advantage.

What about other two siblings?

In contrast, both older and younger siblings scored lower on these measures. Only the middle child excelled in the areas of honesty-humility and agreeableness. According to the authors of the study, the middle child stands out as the least narcissistic among the siblings.

This indicates that, despite often being overlooked, middle children may possess enhanced interpersonal qualities such as forgiveness, compromise, and humility, which allow them to shine in a more favorable manner.

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