Birth order in cross-cultural perspective

Developmental Psychology • Vol/Iss. 10(1) • American Psychological Association • Washington, D.C. • Published In • Pages: 48-54 •
By Rosenblatt, Paul C., Skoogberg, Elizabeth L.

Abstract

This study examines the consequences of birth order; results suggest that the firstborn child is more likely to have social authority as they grow older (they have siblings’ respect, they control property or head kin groups, etc.). The authors suggest that this authority may be legitimated by extra attention firstborns receive though elaborate birth ceremonies and teknonymy.

Samples

Sample Used Coded Data Comment
HRAF Collection of Ethnography (paper/fiche)
OtherOther Researchers

Hypotheses (5)

HypothesisSupported
"Firstborns receive more elaborate ceremonies at birth . . . are given more duties to perform, have authority over siblings, and receive more respect from siblings" (51)Supported
"Last borns tend to be more often spoiled or indulged [but it does not reach significance]" (51)Supported
"Firstborn sons are likely to have more authority over siblings . . . than later born sons, are likely to inherit or otherwise gain control of more family land, livestock, or wealth, and are likely to be respected by siblings. . . . Firstborn daughters . . . receive relatively more respect than their same-sex siblings" (51)Supported
"Firstborn adult sons are more likely than average adult sons to have power or influence over other people, and they are more likely to head a kin group" (51)Supported
"Firstborn children or firstborn children of a given sex tend to increase parental status, to provide parents with a teknonym, to make parent marriage stable" (50-51)UNKNOWN
Documents and Hypotheses Filed By: matthew.g.roth  mas  Amelia Piazza