Michael Thompson

I'm the middle child, yes.

So am I. Would you have guessed that?

Maybe that's why.

You're kind of as miserable as I am.

That's right, that's right.

We've got a chip on our shoulder.

Chip on our shoulder, yeah.

That's right.

Does it matter where you arrive in the family?

Yes, it does.

In fact, there's been a bunch of studies that suggest younger siblings enjoy real advantages.

They are generally born to wealthier and more experienced parents.

Older siblings are role models, mentors, and sometimes rivals.

Elite athletes, which I think is interesting, they're more likely to be younger siblings, studies have shown.

It's not all good.

A landmark 2005 study found that younger siblings fare worse than firstborns on lifetime earnings, educational achievement, mental health, and for women, also on teen pregnancy.

The youngest sibling gets measurably less schooling than the firstborn, on average, and less time with parents.

And now, Sean, there is another reason why younger siblings do less well, according to a new study in the American Economic Review.

out of Denmark.

Yes.