The Youngest Child

Birth Order

A Look at the Youngest Child – Known as the Last-born

            
     The youngest child, also known as the last-born has a unique position within the family. They seem to be loved by everyone. They are funny, entertaining, and very charming. They have had a front seat to the goings on in the family and this benefits them. They have learned from the older children and know how to avoid the same mistakes of the older children. Youngest children are unique in other ways as well. “Youngest children are unique in that they are never displaced by a newborn.  They are the babies of the family, and in that way, they continue to be babied long into adulthood.  Youngest tend to appear youthful throughout their lives.  (Ronald Regan was a youngest, a rarity for a US President.) Youngest children often receive a lot of attention from family because many feel responsible for taking care of them.  Thus, youngest may be indulged, pampered and spoiled in ways that other children are not.  Having experienced good things from others, youngest children may grow up expecting good things from life and therefore tend to be optimists rather than negative-thinking people” (West Coast Wellness Group).

Some common characteristics of the youngest child are: 

• Fun-loving
• Uncomplicated
• Manipulative
• Outgoing
• Attention-seeker
• Self-centered
• Charming
• Creative
• Confident
• Caring

According to Dr. Sue Varma, a Board certified Psychiatrist and Clinical Assistant Professor of Psychiatry at NYU Langone Medical Center, “The youngest are the individuals in the family. They're more playful, and since they have to fight for attention, they've developed a sense of humor as a way of doing that. A lot of actors and famous comedians are the youngest in the family. They tend to take more risks because they've been more protected, so they feel indestructible. They have a lot of confidence. They're creative and can be great problem-solvers. Also, they can go out of their way to prove their individuality, since they end up with all the hand-me-downs. They are the charmers. As thrill/pleasure seekers, they can be most at risk for addictive behavior, which can range from compulsive eating and drinking to sex.”

            There are many benefits to being the youngest in a family: (Elite Daily) 

1.     Youngest are all about good vibes

The term “family drama” is redundant. Good thing youngest children exist to shoo away the dark clouds and infect the family with glee. Even at a young age, the youngest are about being more optimistic than older siblings.

2.     Youngest are close to everyone in the family

The youngest child gets to spend significant amounts of time with everyone in the family, with whom the youngest shares a unique bond.

3.     The youngest learns from the experiences of other siblings

This is probably the best among the perks of being the youngest child. It’s like life is a big classroom and seated in the last row, the youngest gets to see how other siblings go through all of the exams.

4.     Parents are a hero to the youngest

Admit it: The youngest kid noticed how special being the youngest is by the special treatment received by parents. The youngest got the biggest slice of cake, the best flavored ice cream and even the most attractive pair of shoes.

5.    Despite the freedom, the youngest is careful of actions

Other siblings, although aware of the occasional injustice, see the youngest (same as parents) as the adorable baby who never grows up. But since an older brother or sister already did some crazy things in their day, the youngest is given the luxury of freedom from parents.

6.     The youngest turns out to be the most loving

Youngest children grow up in love. Because youngest have been the center of affection for the longest time, they know what love is, how it feels and how to show it.

               Meri Wallace, M.S.W., C.S.W., and author of the book Birth Order Blues, there are many positive aspects of being the youngest child. “The positives of the last-born are that the babies tend to get a lot of attention. They can get the beloved attention of the parents and the older children if things go really well. The youngest and middle children tend to have less pressure put on them by the parents. They are kind of left to grow up a little more on their own because everyone is so preoccupied with the first-born. They may end up becoming very creative because they have to fill their own time.”

Post by JT – Comments Welcomed.
Qualifier: (Birth Order characteristics are common traits but do not always apply to every child)

Works Cited

Macaraeg, Carla Mae. "Why Being The Youngest Child In The Family Is The Best 

          Position." Elite Daily. 5 May 2014. Web. 22 Nov. 2014.
Varma Sue., M.D. "What Birth Order Can Predict About You." DoctorOz.com.

          12 Mar. 2013. Web. 22 Nov. 2014.
Wallace, Meri., M.S.W., C.S.W. "The Burden of Birth Order." TheMotherCo.com
          12 Jan. 2012. Web. 22 Nov. 2014.
“The Youngest Child: Birth Order Characteristics.” WestCoastWellnessGroup.org.
          3 Apr. 2011. Web. 22 Nov. 2014.