doi.org/10.1017/S031289700000655X
Article type: Original Research
1 December 1978
Volume 3 Issue 3-4
doi.org/10.1017/S031289700000655X
Article type: Original Research
1 December 1978
Volume 3 Issue 3-4
Effects of Birth order on age of leaving home
Richard Thurecht1
Michael S. Nystul1
Affiliations
1 University of Queensland
Contributions
Richard Thurecht -
Michael S. Nystul -
Richard Thurecht1
Michael S. Nystul1
Affiliations
1 University of Queensland
CITATION: Thurecht R., & Nystul M.S. (1978). Effects of Birth order on age of leaving home. Children Australia, 3(3-4), 194. doi.org/10.1017/S031289700000655X
Abstract
Alfred Adler (1954) referred to the sibling rivalry between the first and secondborn when he said,
The striving for power in the case of a secondborn child also has its especial nuance. Secondborn children are constantly under steam, striving for superiority under pressure: the race-course attitude which determines their activity in life is very evident in their actions. The fact that there is someone ahead of him who has already gained power is a strong stimulus for the secondborn. If he is enabled to develop his powers and takes up the battle with the firstborn he will usually move forward with a great deal of elan, then while the first born, possessing power, feels himself relatively secure until the second threatens to surpass him (p. 126).