First borns are "first come" and they are "first served" by eager parents who want to do this job of parenting better than anyone has done before (Leman, Birth Order 42). This idea helps support research that indicates first born children walk and talk earlier than later borns. They get more coaching, prodding, and encouragement than later borns (Leman, Birth Order 40). When it comes to school work, first borns tend to have higher IQs and be more productive than their younger siblings (Brown 147). Many times the most attention is paid to the first born and along with getting the most attention, the first born gets the most work (Leman, Birth Order 46). More is expected from first borns; therefore, they often grow up faster because they are the ones setting the example for younger brothers and sisters (Leman, Birth Order 46). Many first borns feel that since they have had to "toe the line," their siblings have it easier than they (Leman, Birth Order 45). For the most part, this is true. As each child is added to the typical family, the rules and regulations are relaxed a little more (Leman, Birth Order 45). In general too much is expected from the first born. The majority of people who seek professional counseling are first borns or only children (Leman, Birth Order 46). There are at least two good reasons first borns usually come in such down-right upright (and sometimes a little uptight) packages. Those two reasons are Mom and Dad. Brand-new parents tend to be a paradox when it comes to their first born child. One side of them is overprotective, anxious, tentative, and inconsistent. The other side can be strict in discipline, demanding, always pushing and encouraging more and better performance (Leman, Birth Order 40). All things considered, first borns probably turn out the most "normal.".

             In addition to the labels mentioned before, first born children tend to be goal oriented, self-sacrificing, conservative, believers in authority and ritual, and self-reliant (Leman, Birth Order 39).