Eldest siblings tend to think they’re the kings and queens of the family. They were born first, so it only makes sense that they get the most attention and affection, right?
家里的老大们倾向于认为他们是家里的国王和王后。他们先出生，所以他们理所应当得到最多的关注和爱，对吗？
Youngest and middle children would beg to differ, but it turns out science mostly supports the eldest’s bragging rights.
弟弟妹妹们并不同意，但其实大多数科学研究支持长子长女的这种“特权”。
Numerous studies have shown that birth order plays an important part in development. How much influence it has is a point of contention among experts, but regardless, there is something to be said about being the oldest one of the bunch.
许多研究都已经显示，出生顺序在孩子的成长中起到重要作用，影响到底有多大一直是专家争论的焦点，但是不论如何，关于家里的老大，还是有些得说道说道。
If you’re an eldest sibling, take a look at the benefits of your birth order below.
如果你是家里的老大，看看下面列出的当老大的好处。
1. Older siblings might be smarter.
1.老大更聪明。
Research suggests that eldest children have higher IQs on average than their younger siblings. In a 2007 study of 250,000 Norwegian young adults, firstborn men had an average IQ 2.3 points higher than their younger brothers.
研究表明，长子比其弟弟妹妹平均智商更高。2007年一项针对25万挪威年轻人的研究显示，长子的智商比弟弟平均高出2.3分。
Researchers believe the difference is due to environment rather than genetics. Eldest children often “teach” their younger siblings, which can help them to better retain information, according to the authors. Also, as a family grows, parents have less time to spend with each child.
研究者相信，这是出于环境原因而不是遗传原因。根据作者所述，长子长女经常教授他们的弟弟妹妹，这帮助他们更好地记住信息。并且，由于家庭成员增加，父母花在每个孩子身上的时间在变少。
“Every time you add a child, you’re diluting the intellectual environment of everyone in the family,” the researchers wrote in the study’s conclusion.
“每添加一个孩子，就要稀释每个孩子的知识环境，”研究者在总结中写到。
2. They could be more responsible.
2. 他们更有责任感。
Forging the path for their fellow siblings means eldest children learn some serious responsibility early in life. According to Jeffrey Kluger, author of The Sibling Effect: What the Bonds Among Brothers and Sisters Reveal About Us, eldest siblings tend to be the ones that focus the most on family loyalty and traditional achievement. As a result, they’re often seen as more obedient and responsible.
为自己的兄弟姐妹铺路，这意味着长子长女要较早地学着承担一些严肃的责任。《手足效应：兄弟姐妹间的关系告诉了我们什么》的作者杰弗里•克鲁杰表示，长子长女倾向于成为更加关注家庭忠诚和传统成就的人。因此，他们看上去更加顺从，有责任感。
3. They might be more successful.
3. 他们也许会更成功。
Not only do eldest children perform better in school, they also might be more successful in the professional world. According psychologist and New York University adjunct professor Ben Dattner, firstborns are achievement-oriented and eager to please their parents. Research also suggests they tend to dominate their younger siblings as an authority figure of sorts, making them acutely prepared to take on leadership roles in the professional world.
长子长女不仅会在学校表现得很好，他们也会在职场更加成功。根据纽约大学兼职教授、心理学家本•达特所述，长子长女以成就为导向，渴望取悦他们的父母。研究还表明，他们倾向于摆出权威姿态，“领导”自己的弟弟妹妹，这使他们在职场发挥领导作用时已经做出充分准备。
Plus, their parents perceive them to be more accomplished. Go figure.
此外，他们的父母认为他们应该更有本事，想想看吧。
4. Eldest children follow the rules.
4. 长子遵循规则。
While middle children are thought to be the rebellious ones, oldest children are more likely to be rule-followers and stick to the status quo.
年龄居中的孩子被认为叛逆，而长子长女更可能遵守规则，并坚持现状。
“Firstborns tend to be responsible, competitive and conventional, whereas laterborns have to ‘distinguish’ themselves and create a specific niche by being playful, cooperative, and especially, rebellious,” Belgian psychologists Vassilis Saroglou and Laure Fiasse wrote in a 2003 paper published in the journal Personality and Individual Differences.
“长子长女更有责任心，有竞争力，也比较传统，而弟弟妹妹更爱玩闹，更讲合作，也更叛逆，与长子长女有所区别，凸显特色”，比利时心理学家瓦西利斯和洛尔在2003年发表于期刊《个性与个体差异》的论文中写到。
5. They may be more conscientious.
5.他们或许更加认真。
In a 2015 study, firstborns were found to be slightly more conscientious, more agreeable and less neurotic than their younger siblings — characteristics that could help them in the long run.
在2015年的一项研究中，人们发现长子长女比他们的弟弟妹妹略加认真，更加和蔼可亲，且更不容易精神敏感–这样的品质能够长期帮助他们。
A 2015 Australian study found that people who were more conscientious showed higher academic performance. Conscientiousness has also been found to be a major key to success.
2015年澳大利亚的一项研究发现，更认真的人成绩更好，严谨自律的精神也被发现是成功的关键。
Revel in the glory, eldest siblings. It’s hard to argue with science. But we’re sure your mom still loves you all equally.
陶醉在荣光中，长子长女们。科学争辩太复杂。但是，我们相信你们的妈妈对你们的爱都是平等的。
Vocabulary
beg to differ: 恕不同意
adjunct professor: 兼职教授，副教授
go figure: 猜猜看，想想看吧