Being the middle child is often correlated to being rebellious, withdrawn, and being the black sheep. Though most individuals would tend to associate them with a negative impression, it is important to look past the negativity associated with the middle children. Getting caught in the middle when it comes to the ordinal position does not necessarily mean that one is just a mare shadow of his/her siblings.
The middle child is often referred to as the outcast, the odd one, the rebellious and the most neglected. Children caught in the middle with huge age gaps in between their siblings are said to be the ones that does not get much attention from the parents. According to Psychology Today, one study from the Stanford University revealed that children with "Middle Child syndrome" are less talkative, envious, and lest bold compared to other birth orders.
Though the perception of the middle child is often negative, it is not however necessarily true. They are usually the ones that are most successful as they tend to work hard and make sure that they'd excel compared to other siblings. They are more driven and ambitious as they are often motivated by the urge to be seen and heard.
Despite the fact that they have lower self-esteem, they commonly excel in almost everything they set their mind to. Their willpower is stronger compared to the elder or youngest child.
Though most believed that the "middle child syndrome" processed mostly negative traits, Dr Sam Von Reiche, however, stated that birth order does not influence child development. "I didn't use to think there was anything to the issue of birth order in child development. Early theorists like Freud didn't focus on that issue at all," Von Reiche said. "But I found in practice birth order can have a major effect children's experience in their family - both positive and negative."
