First-born children are more likely to choose high-flying careers

first-born-children-likely-choose-high-flying-careers-national-sibling-day

by Emma Dodds |
Published on

New research has found that birth order might have a significant impact on your children's future career

A new study has found that birth order may have an impact on the career that your children will go on to have.

The study, commissioned by Disney to celebrate the relationship between Frozen sisters Anna and Elsa, found that the order of someone's birth may influence them follow a particular career path.

The research team analysed a group of 500 successful people from 11 different career paths.

first-born-children-likely-choose-high-flying-careers-national-sibling-day
Monica and Ross Geller in Friends were always compared by their parents (Credit: Warner Bros) ©Warner Bros

Interestingly, the study found that 30% of middle children went on to become CEOs, which psychologist Emma Kenny, who led the study, puts down to vying for attention from a young age.

Apparently, being a middle child makes you more likely to be competitive, but also to be flexible and diplomatic - like Mark Zuckerberg, Lord Alan Sugar and Bill Gates.

It also found that there was a tendency for middle children to be more likely to become athletes, as 41% of athletes analysed were middle children.

first-born-children-likely-choose-high-flying-careers-national-sibling-day
The Kardashian sisters are all successful (Credit: Getty Images) ©Getty Images

First born children were, unsurprisingly, destined to become high-flyers - astronauts were 29% more likely to be first-borns as well as engineers and scientists who were 37% more likely to be eldest children like Stephen Hawking and Tim Berners-Lee, who created the World Wide Web.

Youngest children were found to be 50% more likely to have a career in classical music, and only children are more likely to become artists - in fact, 181% more than was expected.

WOW.

first-born-children-likely-choose-high-flying-careers-national-sibling-day
Sam and Billie Faiers don't let their birth order affect their success (Credit: Getty Images) ©Getty Images

Emma Kenny, who led the study, said: "The research conducted over the last month has shown that birth order is a significant factor in determining employment role types between siblings."

Comparing it to the sisters in Disney's Frozen, she added: "Overall, there are far more typical cases than exceptions. As with Disney's film Frozen, the destiny of two siblings can be very different, however all siblings have an innate bond which should be celebrated."

Have you noticed that your children have traditional birth order personality traits? Is your eldest a leader? Is your youngest a sensitive soul? Let us know over on Facebook and Twitter.

Like this? Now read these:

The 6 baby name rules you need to follow when naming your children

Parents DO have a favourite child, according to science...

First born children 'more likely to be intelligent'

Just so you know, we may receive a commission or other compensation from the links on this website - read why you should trust us