So What?

Who cares if anyone believes this myth or not? It’s not hurting anyone, is it?

Well actually it could. Put aside all the sad middle children out there and think about the other factors. Once you believe fully that this is who you should be, it’s all over. If there is no point in breaking the stereotype, why try? Believing you have a pre determined destiny to be the person described by these traits can be the harm. If the first born believes that they are destined to be this great leader with all the brains in the world, they might feel too much pressure to live up to that kind of future. They might even think there is something wrong with them if when they realize who they are supposed to be, they are currently a thirty something year old still living at home flipping burgers.

And what if the middle child is totally fine the way they are until one day they hear they are the misfit of the family. They had never noticed it before but now that they know, they begin to look for the clues that they had been so oblivious to before. They could find the most miniscule hint at a problem and use it as proof that they are indeed the misfit and begin to alienate themselves from the family.

And honestly, what’s so bad about knowing that you are charming and loved by most everyone that you meet? Well, a lot actually. Having some article or believer of the myth tell you how well liked you are can only inflate your head. And after that, you may go around not caring about your actions, thinking “well this is who I am and everyone loves it.” This false ego boost can actually cause the opposite, people will like the youngest less if they act all high and mighty.