Family Ties
Unpacking the newly celebrated personality punch in sweeping social media.
First, I begged: Ari, thats disgusting.
Then, I resorted to bargaining: Just come to the bathroom with me, well brush together.
Finally, I broke down.
Fine, Ill brush your teeth for you.
I was 26; she was 21.
Yes, I really went through with it theres video evidence to prove it.
Yes, there was alcohol involved.
But the study of birth order is far from new.
(Others, however, contend that birth order is nothing more thanjunk science.)
Theyre the leaders of the family, they tend to be achievers.
Theyre more likely to be the pilot, the engineer, the architect, or the English teacher.
Anywhere where structure and perfection pays, youre going to find the firstborn.
(He says firstborn men, alternatively, tend to be controllers.)
Many also found themselves replicating these dynamics with their friends.
TakeAdult Dramaauthor Natalie Beach, whose friendship withScammers Caroline Callowayhas inspired books,magazine features, andessays.
I completely overstep bounds of how to be involved in another persons life.
A Hundred Other Girlsauthorand former Bustle lifestyle editor Iman Hariri-Kia echoes this sentiment.
Its not great, but Im working on it.
Of course, extenuating circumstances might impede an older sister from conforming to these archetypes.
If you grew up in a family with many children,birth order subgroups may form.
Adopted kids, those in blended families, or ones who have lost a sibling often defy categorization.
On the opposite end of the spectrum, societal factors can only heighten these traits.
Because, as Hariri-Kia puts it, What else would I write about?
This article was originally published onAug.
