Are First-Borns Smarter Than Siblings?

[TBH]

Re: Are First-Borns Smarter Than Siblings?

I'm the third of four. In our family, my older sister is definitely the smartest, but circumstances forced her to be very mature at a young age. She did not have the advantages the rest of us had and she's fought for her own successes.

There was a huge gap (10 years, diferent father) between the first two and the younger two, so in some ways I am also the oldest because I was my father's oldest child, and I was the oldest one at home after the age of 5. Between me and my younger sister, we are both smart in different ways. I was successful at school academically. She is a better artist than I am and much more creative.

I respect my parents a lot for emphasizing that she was intelligent in her own way even though she got C's and D's.

[akaivyleaf]

Re: Are First-Borns Smarter Than Siblings?

I'm the smartest... I'm the first born.... so I'll have to agree.

[coaster]

Re: Are First-Borns Smarter Than Siblings?

Seeing as how first-borns (and I'm one) are older than their siblings, they're ahead in all their learning and life experience. This gives the impression both to self and to the siblings of being smarter. But it's BS. Birth order has no bearing on native intelligence, which is determined by genetics before birth. Because of having more experience and learning at any particular point in time, the first born may be better at using native intelligence, but over the years that advantage recedes.

[PrincessPerky]

Re: Are First-Borns Smarter Than Siblings?

I am the second and on pure test taking brain power, my older brother wins hands down, on life and such..well that is subjective, but I would bet on me

As for my kids, my oldest would win on the tests hands down (and tied behind his back to boot!) But my second would win the empathy, and prolly any physical challenge you put to her (handicapped for age difference) My third is only 7 months, so there isn't much to go by, still just par for the family

My husband is second and yet he would win the test category......guess he breaks the mold .

I do not think birth order has much to do with inherent brain poiwer, but I do think time spent with a kid does have a lot to do with test taking abilities...My oldest had more stories uninterupted, more games with me uninterupted, but more than that, he has a 'fact brain' he likes to memorize stuff. DD...well she likes to 'do' stuff, not memorize facts.

But then I think a second born often seems faster physically because they see someone closer to their size doing things, DD walked earlier, I think in part due to her inate ability , and in part due to watching DS walk, much easier to imitate than a 6ft tall parent! Course having said that, she can 'copy moves' while DS has to have a lot more help to see what on earth you meant. (put your foot here, DD just does it, DS has to know is that on the right or left? in front of me or back...)

[shengmei]

Re: Are First-Borns Smarter Than Siblings?

I am a genetics grad student and I have always believed that intelligence is 50% genetics and 50% environmental. There is something called epigenetics where things happening in the environment actually interact and change the inherent genetic material.

My parents taught me how to read at age two. By the time my siblings were born, however, they were already broken up. I had to raise my youngest sibling. As the result of me learning to read eariler than my siblings, my IQ points had always been higher than them (their EQ points, however, had always been higher than me). I had often felt some guilt about always getting the better education compared to them.

Our IQ and EQ points add up equally. I am the very intellligent but socially inept one. They are intelligent enough and very, very capable of great social lives. They are extremely popular, especially among boys. I didn't even date until I was 19 and my first date turned out to be my husband. I guess the fact that he could tolerate my lack of EQ made him worthy of marriage. LOL.

[lillyb]

Re: Are First-Borns Smarter Than Siblings?

Middle child here. I'd have to say no, the oldest isn't the smartest, although she'd probably say I was wrong. hehe

[markio26]

Re: Are First-Borns Smarter Than Siblings?

i think as you grow older you kinda have to overlook alot of things your siblings do.....mine tend to be mean and cruel at times, then call me up or stop by and act like nothing happened.. it is so strange to me... i think they forget things and i don't... also, i know they do not think like i do...we get excited over fresh corn bread, fresh corn on the cob, chocolate ice cream cones, etc... they like steak, and chicken and alot of protein foods... which is fine, my spouse used to be a meat and potato guy.
i guess, lately i look at everyone in amazement and am surprised... just when i thought i could never be surprised anymore...lol.

[lucasrd]

Re: Are First-Borns Smarter Than Siblings?

No...I am the second of a family of four...I think our family would go like this:

1. Tie - Myself and My Youngest Brother...he is a little more book smart, but I have more common sense.
2. Oldest - sister
3. Middle brother (#3 of 4)

[PrincessPerky]

Re: Are First-Borns Smarter Than Siblings?

i think as you grow older you kinda have to overlook alot of things your siblings do.....mine tend to be mean and cruel at times, then call me up or stop by and act like nothing happened.. it is so strange to me... i think they forget things and i don't... also, i know they do not think like i do...we get excited over fresh corn bread, fresh corn on the cob, chocolate ice cream cones, etc... they like steak, and chicken and alot of protein foods... which is fine, my spouse used to be a meat and potato guy.
i guess, lately i look at everyone in amazement and am surprised... just when i thought i could never be surprised anymore...lol.

Mind if I get excited about both steak and corn on the cob????

[markio26]

Re: Are First-Borns Smarter Than Siblings?

pp:
nope, i don't mind it... our older son, loves crab legs, and salad from red lobster.. he also, loves steak romanburgers... we eat some seafood, maybe once a week.. with my siblings, i was pointing out also, the cost of things.. they want the most expensive food, and we enjoy simple food.. when i eat raw veggies, and fruit that is fresh, i feel lots of energy and well being... they are alive with enzymes that help my body perform better... we are into organic foods too.. if it is the same cost as regular on sale, with a coupon... i love organic yogurt.. yummmmmmmmy................................thanks for the comments.

[boomeyers]

Re: Are First-Borns Smarter Than Siblings?

I come from a family of three kids. We all went to college and live responsible lives. Good parenting there. Besides, just because my brother was a member of MENSA does'nt mean he is smarter, does it??? Of course he is! The first born genius. But I agree with Shengmei, he is more socially inept.
I also have three children. All are very smart, walked early, read early. I know my oldest finds it the easiest in school, my middle is smart in completely different areas and my youngest is trying to charm her way through school, just to see if she can.

[markio26]

Re: Are First-Borns Smarter Than Siblings?

interesting comments.. thanks to all for the replies...

[markio26]

Re: Are First-Borns Smarter Than Siblings?

I Think We Are Smarter In Different Areas Of Our Lives And Dumb In Other Areas.... I Currently Kick Into My Business Mode When I Have To On A Moment's Notice.. Do You Know What I Mean... Preplan What You Will Say And React To....i Used To Call This Daydreaming In School.

[markio26]

Re: Are First-Borns Smarter Than Siblings?

i think the youngest child of our family stays childish the most... and tends to keep a disagreement going in our family... the oldest is the friendliest.. the second oldest is distant. the third oldest is in his own lil world... i on the other hand am almost perfect... loll.