Birth order

I've always thought birth order studies were interesting, but now they're interesting to me in a whole new way. Now I'm looking at them with my kids in mind instead of me and my sisters.
In case you don't know, the birth order theory refers to: "the idea that your spot in the family has an influence on who you are--everything from your personality traits to your overall IQ. In other words, the eldest child in a given family should be expected to exhibit certain traits, the youngest child certain other traits, and so on.
In fact, some people put such stock in birth order that they credit it--and the sibling rivalry it can lead to--for changing history. "
There are lots of other factors that can influence this though-as the author points out: "A parent can die; a hurricane can leave us homeless; we can contract a life-threatening disease. Any one of these things will probably have more of an effect on our personalities than the presence of siblings. And, birth order aside, people are born with certain temperaments that can affect how they respond to others."

Here's the link, there are 3 pages. I like the stuff about family rivalry in the Bush family. It's kind of funny to picture the president of the US pouting because Mommy & Daddy like his brother more.

http://encarta.msn.com/encnet/features/Columns/?Article=birthordermain