Photo: Courtesy of HBO.Some of the greatest sibling rivalries on television take their cues from real-life scenarios. Don't some of the family dynamics of Downton Abbey and The Simpsons feel a bit familiar? As it turns out, a new study suggests the first-born girl of a family is the most likely to be successful. Researchers at the Institute for Social and Economic Research at the University of Essex examined the lives of 1,503 sibling groups (3,532 individuals). The team found the first-born girl in a family is most likely to have the greatest ambition and turn out the most well-qualified. In addition, they're typically 13% more ambitious than first-born boys and more likely to further their education.
There are plenty of real-world examples to illustrate this study's point. Consider, for example, that
Hillary Clinton, Beyoncé, and Oprah are all the first-born females in their families. So, it's really no surprise we see so many fictional representations of this same idea. But, why are the oldest girls set up for such success? Feifei Bu, the study's lead researcher, says there are a couple of different explanations. "It could be that the parents simply devote more time and energy to them — it could be they are actually more intelligent," she told the Guardian. Though, she admits she feels "parental investment" is the primary reason behind this phenomenon.
For those who may feel discouraged by this information, take solace in the fact that the first-born girls often receive the strictest upbringing. And, they'll never stop reminding you of that. (Jezebel)