There used to be considerable discussion about the relationship
between intelligence and position of the children in the family. Standardised
tests of intelligence were used to measure the ability of the children. Birth
order, naturally, was a lot easier to work out. (A child born second is likely
to remain second – unless families join up.)
The expectation was the birth order would be paralleled by
either ascending or descending order of intelligence.
Like all great theories the weight of conflicting evidence
indicated that it is likely that there was no great difference – the eldest was
not always the most brilliant or the most dominant. The youngest did not have
to be the most dependent, unhappy or conceited.
The word `antagonistic’ springs to mind. One take on this
word could be to do with conflict within the family - where siblings are
willing to fight it out. It would be very difficult for the first born – with a
place in grammar school – to want to help the second or third born if there was
daily tension and unruly striving for dominance.
“Please help me with this analogies question?”
“Get lost. You are always whining and whinging about everything
I do.”
“Oh please? I will try harder.”
“You said that last time.”
“I will tell mum and dad.”
“You really are a loser. Bring it here.”
One day someone may want to initiate a study on the relationship
between a normal family and ability to pass eleven plus examinations. If there
can be any agreement about what constitutes a `normal’ family – then the research
may go ahead. We can work out which
children do win places in grammar schools – but the composition of a `normal
family’ may be a little more difficult to define.
Until then most of us will just have to muddle along with
our own theories about who is the bright spark, with the greatest potential, in
the family.
