The birth order effect : a case study of 3 siblings within a family perspective

Abstract

This study will focus on the phenomena of birth order, by examining its effects on a family with three siblings. Particularly this study will seek to answer whether birth order affects a child's personality and contribution within the family and if it affects the parent's perception and upbringing of their children. The importance of this study is to reveal how birth order can affect a family especially a child's personality and future. A single case study together with other techniques, consisting of direct observations and a questionnaire filled by the children, will be employed through the use of Triangulation. This study will also present a discussion of the results found, specifically those dealing on the experiences the children recall as well as the effects birth order had on this family as argued by the parents. The main use of this study is to raise awareness of the importance of the application of birth order particularly within a family perspective amongst parents as well as amongst psychologists during therapy. This study also aims to excite other researchers, in particular those in the Maltese context, to explore the birth order phenomena.