Stuck In The Middle? 20 Things Being A Middle Child Says About You
How Being Sandwiched Between Two Siblings Shapes You
While birth order isn't everything, there are some common traits associated with being the youngest, oldest, or middle child. The second out of three children suffers from what is known as "middle child syndrome," the symptoms of which are being demanding, challenging, rebellious, and jealous. However, how much of this perception is true, and how much is just stereotyping? While middle children often feel overlooked in childhood, not receiving the same amount of attention as their siblings, this experience shapes them in exceptional ways. Here are 20 things being a middle child says about you.
1. You're Adaptable
Being the middle child means constantly adjusting yourself to different situations. While your older sibling may be expected to take on responsibility and the younger gets spoiled, you must find your place somewhere in the middle, maintaining the balance.
2. You're Independent
Since birth, you have had to deal with your parents' attention being divided between you and one or both of your siblings. This has made you more independent from a young age.
3. You're A Peacemaker
As a middle child, you're often in the middle of your two siblings' fights and squabbles as well. Having to mediate makes you a natural peacemaker.
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4. You're Diplomatic
Being in the middle of two siblings you love makes you able to see both sides of an argument. This, coupled with your peacemaking skills, makes you a great negotiator who is skilled at resolving family conflicts.
5. You're A Good Listener
As a middle child, you're accustomed to lending an ear to your siblings. This also makes you develop emotional intelligence from a young age.
6. You Have Struggled With Self-Esteem Issues
Because you weren't the firstborn or the baby, you might've felt you didn't get as much attention as your siblings. Many middle children struggle with self-esteem issues as a result.
7. You're Social
Middle children are often more social because they feel they have to work harder to be noticed. The lack of attention at home encourages them to develop strong people skills in order to build friendships outside of the family.
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8. You're Easygoing
Being in the middle, you learn early on that you won't always be the center of attention, making you more laid-back. You also don't have as much pressure placed on you as your older sibling, so you can be more chill.
9. You're Competitive
Research has shown that middle children tend to be more competitive. This may be because they feel they have to compete for their parents' attention, feeling the need to prove themselves.
10. You Can Be Trusted With Secrets
Being in the middle has made you a good secret-keeper. With both your siblings confiding in you, you quickly understood when to speak and when to keep your mouth shut.
11. You Value Fairness
Because you feel you didn't necessarily get your fair share growing up, you have a greater awareness about inequalities. You naturally want things to be equal.
12. You're Good At Thinking Outside The Box
Middle children are accustomed to finding creative ways to stand out. They're also not locked into a specific role like the oldest and youngest, making them free thinkers who aren't afraid to take risks.
13. You're A Great Team Player
Because middle children tend to value nonrelative bonds so highly, they tend to be excellent team players. They're also found to be less likely to cheat, probably due to the high value they place on fairness.
14. You're Resourceful
Because you weren't given as much attention, you had to figure out a lot of things on your own. This made you a resourceful problem-solver who's good at making the most out of what you have.
15. You're Not Afraid To Take Risks
Because you're less bound by expectations, you're more of a risk-taker. While you tend to be impulsive, you also make a great entrepreneur.
16. You're Stubborn
Fighting for attention and not having things handed to you has made you learn to stand your ground. That being said, you pick your battles and are only stubborn when there's an injustice.
17. You're Great At Blending In
As a middle child, you're somewhat of a social chameleon. You were rarely the center of attention, so you don't feel the need to be the biggest personality in the room, but this makes you very adaptable to different social situations.
18. You Sometimes Feel Overlooked
Perhaps the most common stereotype associated with middle children is that they have a chip on their shoulder because they feel they didn't receive the amount of love and attention their siblings did. The image of the sullen, bad-tempered child comes from this place.
19. You're Prone To Jealousy
Middle children are also known to be jealous. This may be due to a trauma from childhood as they would've witnessed their siblings being granted perks that they weren't.
20. You're A Rebel
Because they grow up without a specific role, middle children are forced to forge their path and create an identity for themselves. They're more likely to question rules and challenge the status quo. Don't worry, their high principles usually make them a rebel with a cause.
