Parents treat children of different age and gender differently, which leads to the trends that birth order researcher have built their theories off. Generally, firstborns are viewed as ambitious, assertive, controlling, and reliable (Zupek). These characteristics are caused by being raised in an environment consisting of mostly adults. By being raised in an adult based environment, firstborns are viewed as “mini-adults.” Middle children tend to be peacemakers, negotiators, easy-going, and thrive on friendship (Zupek). Middle children possess these characteristics because they live in their older sibling’s shadow. Parents normally pay more attention to the high achieving oldest child or the baby of the family causing the middle child to feel left out or unwanted. Due to this lack of attention middle children tend to center their lives around friends and not family because their friends notice them and make them feel wanted. Lastborns are known to be charming, creative, self-centered, and manipulative (Zupek). By the last child, parents tend to have a more relaxed parenting style. The relaxed nature of the parents cause the rules to become flexible and less enforced. Lastborn children may take advantage of this by pushing the limit because they know their parents will look the other way. Also, lastborns may want and expect others to assist…