We have all heard the stereotypes surrounding the responsible older sibling and the somewhat less responsible younger sibling. According to a recent study done at Johns Hopkins University, these stereotypes may very well be true.

The main conclusion drawn from the study was that parents are generally more strict with their oldest child to set an example for the younger child or children, and as a result, we have the notions of the hard-working, studious first born and his or her fun-loving, reckless younger sibling.

While such generalizations may be useful as statistics, I don’t think it is fair to judge how someone will turn out based on their order of birth. Too much credit or blame is given to parents for their children’s natural tendencies. Personality and the desire to succeed play a much bigger role in how reserved or reckless an individual may be. From what the study suggests, a genius can be manufactured through strict parenting, which is hardly the case.

As an oldest child, I am often disconcerted when studies like this one make us seem like a dress-up doll that our parents play around with to decide how they will parent their next child. One psychologist even referred to the first child as a “guinea pig.”

I would imagine that being a parent for the first time is very stressful and confusing and mistakes are occasionally made, but I don’t think a parent will, after realizing they were too strict on their first child, say, “Oh well, try harder next time,” and continue being strict with their first child while allowing their second child to bounce off the walls.

Also, if they want to set an example for all the other children to follow, why not be stricter to all of the children? Honestly, the personalities and mentalities of the children and parents determine their future much more so than birth order.