LONDON: Many parents may not buy this
story, but a new study in Britain says that the order in which children are born
can determine their later career paths.
According to the study, a
first-born child is more likely to become a rockstar, while middle children
stand the highest chance of becoming a PM and the youngest child is most likely
to become an actor.
Researchers have based their findings on an
analysis of 100 well-known figures, including 20 rockstars, the last 20 British
PMs, and the last 20 winners of best leading actor and best leading actress
BAFTA awards.
They found three-quarters of rockstars are either the
eldest or only children, with examples of first-borns including Mick Jagger,
John Lennon and Paul McCartney. By contrast the youngest child is twice as
likely as older brothers or sisters to become an actor, with examples including
Julia Roberts, Reese Witherspoon, Judi Dench, Kevin Spacey and Daniel Day
Lewis.
The youngest in a family are often risk-takers, attention
seekers and hardworkers with a good sense of humour. Middle children meanwhile
have a 67% higher chance of becoming PM than any of their siblings. David
Cameron, Gordon Brown and Tony Blair are all middle children, the study found.
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